Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular joint disorders: a placebo-controlled study.

Objective: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) treatment for pain caused by temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) was investigated in a controlled study comparing applied energy density, subgroups of TMD, and duration of disorders.

Background Data: Although LLLT is a physical therapy used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, there is little evidence for its effectiveness in the treatment of TMD.

Methods: The study group of 61 patients was treated with 10 J/cm(2) or 15 J/cm(2), and the control group of 19 patients was treated with 0.

Arthralgia of the temporomandibular joint and low-level laser therapy.

Objective: This case report describes the treatment of a patient with arthralgia of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) caused by disc displacement.

Background Data: The goal of the treatment of TMJ arthralgia is to decrease pain by promotion of the musculoskeletal system's natural healing ability.

Methods: This report describes the complex treatment of TMJ arthralgia.

Can infrared thermography be a diagnostic tool for arthralgia of the temporomandibular joint?

This paper presents a review of the use of infrared thermography in diagnosis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthralgia. The question examined was whether the infrared thermography could be reliably used as a tool to diagnose arthralgia by objectively assessing the site of origin and the degree of irritation. Controlled studies were performed by using advanced thermographic devices to show both diagnostic validity and reliability of infrared thermography as a screening test for selecting healthy subjects from patients with unilateral TMJ arthralgia.