Pharmacotherapy versus photobiomodulation therapy in patients with temporomandibular disorders: randomized clinical trial

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of photobiomodulation and pharmacotherapy in the relief of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Methods : In this single-blind, prospevtive randomized tiral, patients with unilateral TMD were evaluated. The patients were randomized into two groups: Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and Pharmacotherapy. Patients in the Pharmacotherapy group revieved a capsule of MEGAFEN (Acetaminophen 325 mg/Caffeine 30 mg/Ibuprofen 200mg) every 8 hours for four weeks. Second group received LLLT in three sessions per week for four consecutive weeks. Patients were evaluated prior to initiation of therapy and on days 7, 14 and 28 following the start of therapy. Results : A total of 42 patients were evaluated in this study. The LLLT group had significantly lower mean pain and higher mean maximum mouth opening scores on day 28 ^{(P = 0.001 and P = 0.024). The frequencies of joint clicking and tenderness were also significantly lower in the LLLT group on all follow-up days (joint clicking: P = 0.008; P = 0.004; P = 0.001; tenderness: P = 0.008; P = 0.005; P = 0.001). No significant differences in mean lateral excrusion scores were found between the groups on all follow-up days (P = 0.259; P = 0.172; P = 0.172). Conclusion : Photobiomodulation therapy was more efficient in the improvement of pain, mouth opening, joint clicking, and tenderness of temporomandibular disorders compared to the pharmacotherapy with MEGAFEN.}