Effects of Laser Therapy and LED Therapy on Elderly Individuals With Temporomandibular Disorder

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is described as a subgroup of orofacial pain with a set of signs and symptoms that involve the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, ears and neck. TMD can occur unilaterally or bilaterally and approximately 70% of the population is affected with at least one sign. The disorder progresses with orofacial pain, muscle pain involving the masticatory and cervical muscles, joint noises (clicks and pops), joint block, mandibular dysfunction and headache. The etiology can be abnormal occlusion and/or posture, trauma involving local tissues, repetitive microtrauma, parafunctional habits and an increase in emotional stress. Studies have demonstrated that phototherapy is an efficient option for the treatment of TMD, leading to improvements in pain and orofacial function. The aim of the proposed study is to analyze the effects of low-level laser therapy and light-emitting diode (LED) therapy on pain and function in patients with TMD. Methods: A randomized, controlled, double-blind, clinical trial is proposed, which will involve 80 individuals between 40 and 70 years of age allocated to either a laser group or LED group submitted to twelve sessions of phototherapy. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs will be used to evaluate all participants. Pain will be measured using the visual analog scale. Orofacial function will be measured based on maximum vertical mandibular movement and muscle tension (determined through palpation of the masseter, temporal, frontal, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital and trapezius muscles). Electromyographic analysis of the masseter and anterior temporal muscles will also be performed.