Summary
Temporomandibular disorders embrace a number of clinical conditions that involves the masticatory musculature, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and associated structures. The most frequent cause of TMJ disorders are disc derangement disorders which involve progressive slipping or displacement of articular disc. Various conservative treatment strategies for disc derangement disorders includes pharmacologic therapy, psychological counselling, treatment of parafunctional habits, use of occlusal splints and acupuncture which gives short term relief only. Recently, a non traumatic introduction to dentistry can be represented by low level laser therapy or soft laser therapy. It has proved to be an effective treatment modality in management of disc derangement disorders through its analgesic and anti- inflammatory effect. Therefore, the goal of this review article is to explore the use of low level laser therapy as an emerging trend in the management of disc derangement disorders of TMJ.
KEY WORDS: low level laser, disc derangement disorders, orofacial pain.
How to cite this article
KHAN, M.; VIJAYALAKSHMI, K. R. & GUPTA, N. Low intensity laser therapy in disc derangement disorders of temporomandibular joint : A review article. Int. J. Odontostomat., 7(2):235-239, 2013.
