Low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular disorders
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Published
2026 June 30
Reynier Ramírez Suarez
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3759-0249
Abstract
Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders are common in the population. Several treatment options have been documented, including low-level laser therapy (LLLT).
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy in patients with temporomandibular disorders.
Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in patients with temporomandibular disorders. The sample was divided into two groups: Group A was treated with analgesics, muscle relaxants, and physical therapy; Group B received LLLT. The variables studied were age, pain, and mouth opening.
Results: There were no significant differences between the ages of the two groups. In the pain assessment at 6 months, Group A showed significantly higher values than Group B (p=0.0007), a difference that persisted at the 12-month follow-up (p<0.0001). The best results in mouth opening were recorded in group B. A significant difference was observed starting at 15 days (p=0.004), which was maintained and increased at the 6-month (p<0.0001) and 12-month (p<0.0001) follow-up visits.
Conclusion: Patients treated with low-level laser therapy showed significantly better results in pain relief and recovery of mouth opening.
How to Cite
1.
Ramírez Suarez R. Low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular disorders. Rev. parag. reumatol. [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 30 [cited 2026 Oct. 14];12(1):27-31. Available from: https://revista.spr.org.py/index.php/spr/article/view/251
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Article Details
Keywords
Temporomandibular disorder, Temporomandibular joint, Low-level laser therapy, Mandibular movement, Joint pain
References
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(18) Ren H, Liu J, Liu Y, Yu C, Bao G, Kang H. Comparative efficacy of low-level laser therapy and TENS in temporomandibular pain: systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Oral Rehabil. 2022 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];49(2):138-49. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.13230.
(19) Sobral AP, Sobral SS, Campos TM, Horliana AC, Fernandes KP, Bussadori SK, et al. Photobiomodulation and myofascial temporomandibular disorder: systematic review, meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness. J Clin Exp Dent [Internet]. 2021 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];13(7):e724-32. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.58084.
(20) Farshidfar N, Farzinnia G, Samiraninezhad N, Assar S, Firoozi P, Rezazadeh F, et al. Photobiomodulation in temporomandibular disorders: updated systematic review of RCTs. J Lasers Med Sci [Internet]. 2023 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];14:e24. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.34172/jlms.2023.24.
(2) Villafañe A, Hernández-Andara A, Vargas A, Brito A, Manresa C, Villarroel-Dorrego M. Eficacia de la fotobiomodulación en el manejo del dolor agudo en trastornos temporomandibulares: serie de casos. Rev Cient Odontol (Lima) [Internet]. 2025 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];13(2):e245. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.21142/2523-2754-1302-2025-245.
(3) Desai AP, Roy SK, Semi RS, Balasundaram T. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular joint pain management: double-blind placebo-controlled trial. J Oral Maxillofac Surg [Internet]. 2022 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];21(3):948-56. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-021-01591-4.
(4) Ayyildiz S, Emir F, Sahin C. Evaluation of low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular disorder patients. Case Rep Dent [Internet]. 2015 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];2015:424213. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/424213.
(5) Kashmoola MA. Pilot study on low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular disorder treatment. Int Dent Med Res J [Internet]. 2018 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];11(2):669-75.
(6) Aisaiti A, Zhou Y, Wen Y, Zhou W, Wang C, Zhao J, et al. Effect of photobiomodulation therapy on painful temporomandibular disorders. Sci Rep [Internet]. 2021 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];11(1):9049. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87265-0.
(7) Karic V, Penny C. Photobiomodulation therapy as an adjunct in temporomandibular disorder treatment: narrative review. Lasers Med Sci [Internet]. 2025 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];40(1):56. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-025-04324-y.
(8) Asociación Médica Mundial. Declaración de Helsinki de la AMM - Principios éticos para las investigaciones médicas en seres humanos [Internet]. Pamplona: Universidad de Navarra, Centro de Documentación de Bioética; 2013. Disponible en: http://www.redsamid.net/archivos/201606/2013-declaracion-helsinki-brasil.pdf
(9) de Oliveira-Souza AIS, Mohamad N, de Castro Carletti EM, Müggenborg F, Dennett L, de Oliveira DA, et al. Optimal parameters of low-level laser therapy for orofacial pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Disabil Rehabil [Internet]. 2023 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];45(20):3219-27. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2127933.
(10) de la Barra Ortiz HA, Arias M, Meyer von Schauensee M, Liebano RE. Efficacy of high-intensity laser therapy in temporomandibular joint disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. Lasers Med Sci [Internet]. 2024 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];39(1):210. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-024-04162-4.
(11) Aisaiti A, Zhou Y, Wen Y, Zhou W, Wang C, Zhao J, et al. Effect of photobiomodulation therapy on painful temporomandibular disorders. Sci Rep [Internet]. 2021 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];11(1):9049. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87265-0.
(12) Fan T, Li Y, Wong AYL, Liang X, Yuan Y, Xia P, et al. Optimal wavelength of low-level light therapy in knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and network meta-analysis. Aging Clin Exp Res [Internet]. 2024 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];36(1):203. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-024-02853-0.
(13) Dompe C, Moncrieff L, Matys J, Grzech-Leśniak K, Kocherova I, Bryja A, et al. Mechanisms of photobiomodulation and clinical applications. J Clin Med [Internet]. 2020 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];9(6):1724. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9061724.
(14) de la Barra Ortiz HA, Arias M, Liebano RE. High-intensity laser therapy for neck pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. Lasers Med Sci [Internet]. 2024 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];39(1):124. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-024-04069-0.
(15) Nadershah M, Abdel-Alim HM, Bayoumi AM, Jan AM, Elatrouni A, Jadu FM. Photobiomodulation therapy for myofascial pain in temporomandibular dysfunction: double-blind RCT. J Maxillofac Oral Surg [Internet]. 2020 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];19(1):93-7. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-019-01222-z.
(16) Del Vecchio A, Floravanti M, Boccassini A, Gaimari G, Vestri A, Di Paolo C, et al. Home protocol of low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular pain: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Cranio [Internet]. 2021 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];39(2):141-50. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1080/08869634.2019.1599174.
(17) Siqueira LDC, Brant CF, Bento GF, Soares LFF, Danziger MFH, Soares CJ. Laser treatment for temporomandibular disorder: randomized controlled clinical trial. Lasers Med Sci [Internet]. 2025 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];40:310. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-025-04565-x.
(18) Ren H, Liu J, Liu Y, Yu C, Bao G, Kang H. Comparative efficacy of low-level laser therapy and TENS in temporomandibular pain: systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Oral Rehabil. 2022 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];49(2):138-49. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.13230.
(19) Sobral AP, Sobral SS, Campos TM, Horliana AC, Fernandes KP, Bussadori SK, et al. Photobiomodulation and myofascial temporomandibular disorder: systematic review, meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness. J Clin Exp Dent [Internet]. 2021 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];13(7):e724-32. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.58084.
(20) Farshidfar N, Farzinnia G, Samiraninezhad N, Assar S, Firoozi P, Rezazadeh F, et al. Photobiomodulation in temporomandibular disorders: updated systematic review of RCTs. J Lasers Med Sci [Internet]. 2023 [citado 25 de enero de 2026];14:e24. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.34172/jlms.2023.24.
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ORIGINAL ARTICLES
How to Cite
1.
Ramírez Suarez R. Low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular disorders. Rev. parag. reumatol. [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 30 [cited 2026 Oct. 14];12(1):27-31. Available from: https://revista.spr.org.py/index.php/spr/article/view/251
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