title: Efficacy of red and infrared lasers in treatment of temporomandibular disorders--a double-blind, randomized, parallel clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Low-level laser therapy has still not been well established, and it is important to define a standardized protocol for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) using low level laser. There is no consensus on controlled clinical trials concerning the best option for laser therapy with regard to wavelength. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of red and infrared laser therapy in patients with TMD, using a randomized parallel-group double-blind trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Each hemiface of 19 subjects was randomized to receive intervention, in a total of 116 sensitive points. Pain was measured at baseline and time intervals of 24 hours, 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days after treatment. Irradiation of 4 J/cm2 in the temporomandibular joints and 8 J/cm(2) in the muscles was used in three sessions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both treatments had statistically significant results (P<0.001); there was statistical difference between them at 180 days in favor of the infrared laser (P=0.039). There was improvement in 24 hours, which extended up to 180 days in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both lasers are effective in the treatment and remission of TMD symptoms.
authors.forename: Túlio Silva
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Olga Dumont
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Flecha
authors.forename: Raphael Castro
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Adriana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Botelho
authors.forename: José Cristiano
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ramos Glória
authors.forename: Karine Taís
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Aguiar Tavano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D055815:Young Adult