title: Effectiveness of physiotherapy and GaAlAs laser in the management of temporomandibular joint disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a treatment method commonly used in physiotherapy for musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to monitor the function of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding tissues and compare the objective measurements of the effect of LLLT.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  LLLT has been considered effective in reducing pain and muscular tension; thus improving the quality of patients' lives.
  
  
  METHODS
  TMJ function was evaluated by cephalometric tracing analysis, orthopantomogram, TMJ tomogram, and computer face-bow record. Interalveolar space between central incisors before and after therapy was measured. Patients evaluated pain on the Visual Analog Scale. LLLT was performed in five treatment sessions (energy density of 15.4 J/cm(2)) by semiconductive GaAlAs laser with an output of 280 mW, emitting radiation wavelength of 830 mm. The laser supplied a spot of ~0.2 cm(2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline comparisons between the healthy patients and patients with low-level laser application show that TMJ pain during function is based on anatomical and function changes in TMJ areas. Significant differences were seen in the posterior and anterior face height. The results comparing healthy and impaired TMJ sagittal condyle paths showed that patients with TMJ pain during function had significantly flatter nonanatomical movement during function. After therapy, the unpleasant feeling was reduced from 27.5 to 4.16 on the pain Visual Analog Scale. The pain had reduced the ability to open the mouth from 34 to 42 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The laser therapy was effective in the improvement of the range of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and promoted a significant reduction of pain symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Stomatology, 2nd Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. tatjana.dostalova@fnmotol.cz
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dostalová
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hlinakova
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kasparova
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rehacek
authors.forename: Lenka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vavrickova
authors.forename: Leoš
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Navrátil
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D055815:Young Adult