This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Balakrishnan PS, Kurian LG. Effectiveness of Low Level Laser Therapy in The Management of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Review. Physio Occup Ther J. 2025;18(3):266-272.
Timeline
Received : May 14, 2025
Accepted : June 22, 2025
Published : September 28, 2025
Abstract
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders are condition that can manifest with symptoms jaw pain or tenderness, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw, difficulty chewing or opening the mouth, and headaches While the classic presentation of TMJ Disorders involves deficits, it is essential to recognize the effectiveness of low level laser therapy in the management of temporomanadibular joint disorders. This manuscript comprehensively reviews the literature examining the effectiveness of low level laser therapy in the management of TMJ disorders. A thorough search of Pubmed and Google Scholar was conducted to identify relevant articles published between 2014 and 2024. Six studies were selected for analysis, illustrating various interventions in TMJ disorders. It may lead to the timely diagnosis and physiotherapy management in TMJ disorders. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimal physiotherapy treatment strategies like low level laser therapy in the management of temporomandibular joint disorders.
References
1. Ahrari F, Madani AS, Ghafouri ZS, Tunér J. The efficacy of low-level laser therapy for the treatment of myogenous temporomandibular joint disorder. Lasers in medical science. 2014 Mar 1;29(2):551-7.
2. Sayed N, Murugavel C, Gnanam A. Management of temporomandibular disorders with low level laser therapy. Journal of maxillofacial and oral surgery. 2014 Dec 1;13(4):444- 50.
3. Xu GZ, Jia J, Jin L, Li JH, Wang ZY, Cao DY. LowLevel Laser Therapy for Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review with MetaAnalysis. Pain Research and Management. 2018;2018.
4. Basili M, Barlattani JR A, Venditti A, Bollero P. Low-level laser therapy in the treatment of implantology. 2017 Oct;10(4):406.
5. de Godoy CH, Motta LJ, Fernandes KP, Mesquita-Ferrari RA, Deana AM, Bussadori SK. Effect of low-level laser therapy on adolescents with temporomandibular disorder: a blind randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2015 Apr 1;73(4):622-9.
6. Chen J, Huang Z, Ge M, Gao M. Efficacy of lowlevel laser therapy in the treatment of TMDs: A meta analysis of 14 randomised controlled trials. . J Oral Rehabil. 2015; 42(4):291–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.12258 PMID: 25491183.
7. Madani AS, Ahrari F, Nasiri F, Abtahi M, Tune´r J. Low-level laser therapy for management of TMJ osteoarthritis. Cranio®. 2014; 32(1):38–44. https://doi.org/10.1179/08 86963413Z.0000000004 PMID:24660645.
8. Khairnar S, Kalyani Bhate SKSN, Kshirsagar K, Jagtap B, Kakodkar P. Comparative evaluation of lowlevel laser therapy and ultrasound heat therapy in reducing temporomandibular joint disorder pain. J Dent Anesth pain Med. 2019; 19(5):289. https://doi.org/10.17245/ jdapm.2019.19.5.289 PMID:31723669.
9. Camila Haddad Leal de Godoy, Lara Jansiski Motta, Eugenio Jose Garcia, Kristianne Porta Santos Fernandes, Raquel Agnelli MesquitaFerrari, Ravana Angelini Sfalcin, Pamella de Barros Motta, Fabiano Politti, Sandra Kalil Bussadori, Electromyographic evaluation of a low-level laser protocol for the treatment of temporomandibular disorder: a randomized, controlled, blind trial, Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 2017, Vol 29, Iss 12, 2107- 2111.
Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
Information not provide.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.
About this article
Cite this article
Balakrishnan PS, Kurian LG. Effectiveness of Low Level Laser Therapy in The Management of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Review. Physio Occup Ther J. 2025;18(3):266-272.
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.