Oral Health and Dental Management

Abstract

Comparison of the Synergistic Effect of Vacuum Therapy or Ultrasound Associated with Low Power Laser Applied in Temporomandibular Disorders

Vitor Hugo Panhóca*, Patricia Eriko Tamae, Antonio Eduardo Aquino Jr and Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato

This work aims to investigate and compare the effects of new technologies that can help in the rehabilitation process of people with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) by controlling pain and reducing the inflammatory process, increasing joint functionality and improving their quality of life patients. Twenty female and male volunteers, aged between 18 and 55 years, with joint or muscle TMD were selected. The volunteers were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group USL-Treated with Ultrasound (US) plus Laser and Group VL-treated with Vacuum plus Laser (VL). For the clinical study, 2 therapeutic sessions were carried out during 4 weeks. Clinical evaluations were performed: anamnesis and diagnosis; pain assessment using an analogue pain scale; assessment of range of motion (total opening of the mouth) and assessment of quality of life (OHIP-14). For statistical analysis, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test was performed, followed by a one-way ANOVA analysis, using the Student-Newman-Keuls test for parametric data. The results consist of reduced pain, increased range of motion of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) and improved quality of life in both groups. We can conclude that laser combined with US or vacuum are effective in the treatment of TMD.