The purpose of this study was to conduct a randomized, blinded, controlled clinical based evaluation of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in 29 patients with chronic Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) to determine the clinical efficiency of LLLT as initial pain reduction therapy.

Patients were selected by alternating within active or sham laser therapy and by application of criteria from Research Diagnostic Criteria/Temporomandibular Dysfunction RDC/TMD questionnaire. Each patient was treated by multiple laser devices, including 810nm 200mw, 810mw 1W and 660nm and 850nm LED 1390mw aggregate, to tender points and selected anatomic points, each leaving a specific clinical effect. Subjects were treated 5 times within a 2–3 week period. Primary outcomes were measured by the change in a 100mm visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain by self report. Secondary outcomes measured include the short-form 36 for quality of life analysis. Measurements were taken at baseline and 1–2 weeks following treatment.

The mean VAS score for active treatment improved by 36.93 from a mean of 59.46. The sham placebo therapy improved by 10.23 from a mean of 55.7 ( p<.001). Significant improvements were seen also in the active group compared to the control in SF-36-physical scores (SF-36PCS) ( p<.001) and SF-36 mental scores (SF-36 MCS) (p<.047).

Conclusions indicate that LLLT was successful for significantly reducing short term pain (1–2 weeks) when applying the parameters in this study to chronic TMD pain patients.