EFFECTIVENESS OF PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY IN THE MANEGEMENT OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS
Abstract
the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy in the manegement of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) treated at the Laser Clinic of the Federal University of Bahia. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with TMD treated between 2003 and 2020. Variables were collected to characterize the patient profile, as well as data related to the photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) protocol and pain intensity at the beginning and end of treatment, measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Of the 189 patients, 85.7% were female, with a mean age of 46.77 ± 15.35 years. Bilateral incidence of TMD was more prevalent (52.1%), and pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was the main symptom (52.9%). Regarding the PBMT protocol, 63.5% of patients were treated with infrared wavelength only or in combination with red light (32.3%). The irradiation points included the TMJ (92%), masticatory muscles, and sternocleidomastoid muscle. The median total energy density used in the treatment was 38.4 [16.8 – 100] J/cm². There was a statistically significant difference between the initial and final pain intensity (p<0.001), with a lower VAS score at the end of treatment, and 73.8% of patients showed clinical improvement in their pain condition. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the effectiveness of PBMT for TMD within the context of Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) and are intended to contribute to the advancement of photobiomodulation and its application in dentistry, with a focus on professional training and protocol development.
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Author Biographies
Master’s student in the Graduate Program in Biotechnology at the Federal University of Bahia (PPGBIOTEC-UFBA); Degree in Dentistry from Faculdade Maria Milza - UNIMAM.
Undergraduate Dentistry student at the Federal University of Bahia (FOUFBA).
PhD in Dentistry from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and Specialist in Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain from São Leopoldo Mandic.
PhD in Dentistry with concentration in Laser Therapy from the Federal University of ParaÃba and the Federal University of Bahia (UFPB-UFBA).
PhD candidate in Biotechnology at the Graduate Program in Biotechnology of the Federal University of Bahia (PPGBIOTEC-UFBA); Master’s degree in Public Health from the State University of Feira de Santana (PPGSC-UEFS).
PhD in Public Health from the University of São Paulo (USP).
PhD Clinical Dentistry - University of Birmingham.
PhD in Dentistry with concentration in Laser Therapy from the Federal University of ParaÃba and the Federal University of Bahia (UFPB-UFBA).
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