Low level laser therapy (lllt) in management of temporomandibular joint disorders: a stepwise literature review

The American Academy of Orofacial Pain defined Temporomandibular Disorders as-“a collective term that embraces a number of clinical problems that involve the masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joint and the associated structures.” The morbidity due to the temporomandibular disorders is 27% to 76% among patients who go for dental care. About 75% of the population has one sign and approximately 33% has at least one symptom of temporomandibular disorder. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorder is the first comprehensive assessment of reliability and validity of original Axis Ⅰ and Ⅱ. Low Level Laser Therapy is a conservative, non-invasive, quick and safe method that has been introduced for treatment from past few years. The purpose of this review article is for meta-analysis of the related investigations and application of Low Level Laser Therapy in patients of temporomandibular disorders of different ages and sexes and their positive results over a given period of time. It aimed at compiling literature searches for different articles that was performed using NCBI, Pubmed and Google Scholar by combining the terms: temporomandibular disorders, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, temporomandibular joint disc, TMD, TMJ, craniomandibular disorders, myofascial pain, myofascial pain syndrome, laser, low level laser therapy soft laser, LLLT. Conclusion: All the patients have shown positive results to this treatment with different degrees.