The effects of low level laser therapy on the management of chronic idiopathic orofacial pain: trigeminal neuralgia, temporomandibular disorders and burning mouth syndrome

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of different wavelengths of low level laser therapy (LLLT) in the management of orofacial pain by measuring the pain reduction using visual analogue scale (VAS). Materials and methods: Study involved 20 patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN), 20 with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and 40 with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). 50 % of the patients in each syndrome group were treated with 660 nm laser, and other 50 % with 810 nm laser. Orofacial pain was quantified by the VAS. Results: VAS was significantly lower after the application of LLLT, in all subjects and for both applied wavelengths (P < 0.05). Efficacy of 810 nm laser compared to 660 nm laser was significantly higher for all patients and in both the TN and TMD groups (P < 0.001; P = 0.005; P = 0.024). Conclusions: LLLT has proven to be an effective intervention in reducing pain in TN, TMD and BMS patients. Better results can be achieved with higher wavelengths.