The Effectiveness of Multimodality Treatment Including Stabilization Splint and Low‐Level Laser Therapies on Managing Temporomandibular Disorders: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Objectives Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) encompasses various clinical issues affecting the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, and surrounding structures. Common symptoms include pain, joint and muscle tenderness, and limited jaw movement. Diverse treatment options have been ut...

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Main Authors: Zahra Afshari, Nazieh Abdollah Kookhi, Mahdi Shamali, Majid Sedaghat Monfared, Sara Tavakolizadeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-02-01
Series:Clinical and Experimental Dental Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/cre2.70038
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author Zahra Afshari
Nazieh Abdollah Kookhi
Mahdi Shamali
Majid Sedaghat Monfared
Sara Tavakolizadeh
author_facet Zahra Afshari
Nazieh Abdollah Kookhi
Mahdi Shamali
Majid Sedaghat Monfared
Sara Tavakolizadeh
author_sort Zahra Afshari
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Objectives Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) encompasses various clinical issues affecting the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, and surrounding structures. Common symptoms include pain, joint and muscle tenderness, and limited jaw movement. Diverse treatment options have been utilized to manage TMD. However, evidence of the combined modality treatment approach is scarce. This pilot trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combining stabilization splint therapy (SST) with low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) in managing TMD. Material and Methods This pilot parallel randomized clinical trial included 30 patients with TMD. Patients were randomly allocated equally into three treatment groups: SST, LLLT, and combined treatment (CT). Outcomes, including pain and functional limitations, were measured at baseline, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the start of each treatment. Results CT was significantly more effective in reducing pain in patients with TMD compared to LLLT and SST. Although patients in the LLLT group reported significantly reduced pain, they still had higher pain scores compared to the SST group at certain time points, indicating that LLLT was not as effective as SST. Most functional limitations were improved over time, more consistently within the CT group, but without significant differences between the three groups. Patients were more satisfied with CT compared to LLLT and SST. Conclusions The superior results of the CT group over the SST and LLLT groups were evident in this pilot trial's outcomes. The combined modality treatment approach seems to yield the greatest improvement for TMD patients.
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spelling doaj-art-40f4680a1e784a008193e42d4cd15bb92025-08-20T03:55:08ZengWileyClinical and Experimental Dental Research2057-43472025-02-01111n/an/a10.1002/cre2.70038The Effectiveness of Multimodality Treatment Including Stabilization Splint and Low‐Level Laser Therapies on Managing Temporomandibular Disorders: A Pilot Randomized Controlled TrialZahra Afshari0Nazieh Abdollah Kookhi1Mahdi Shamali2Majid Sedaghat Monfared3Sara Tavakolizadeh4Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran IranDepartment of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences Sanandaj IranResearch Support Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet Copenhagen DenmarkDepartment of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran IranDepartment of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran IranABSTRACT Objectives Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) encompasses various clinical issues affecting the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, and surrounding structures. Common symptoms include pain, joint and muscle tenderness, and limited jaw movement. Diverse treatment options have been utilized to manage TMD. However, evidence of the combined modality treatment approach is scarce. This pilot trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combining stabilization splint therapy (SST) with low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) in managing TMD. Material and Methods This pilot parallel randomized clinical trial included 30 patients with TMD. Patients were randomly allocated equally into three treatment groups: SST, LLLT, and combined treatment (CT). Outcomes, including pain and functional limitations, were measured at baseline, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the start of each treatment. Results CT was significantly more effective in reducing pain in patients with TMD compared to LLLT and SST. Although patients in the LLLT group reported significantly reduced pain, they still had higher pain scores compared to the SST group at certain time points, indicating that LLLT was not as effective as SST. Most functional limitations were improved over time, more consistently within the CT group, but without significant differences between the three groups. Patients were more satisfied with CT compared to LLLT and SST. Conclusions The superior results of the CT group over the SST and LLLT groups were evident in this pilot trial's outcomes. The combined modality treatment approach seems to yield the greatest improvement for TMD patients.https://doi.org/10.1002/cre2.70038low‐level laser therapymyofascial painorofacial painstabilization splinttemporomandibular disorders
spellingShingle Zahra Afshari
Nazieh Abdollah Kookhi
Mahdi Shamali
Majid Sedaghat Monfared
Sara Tavakolizadeh
The Effectiveness of Multimodality Treatment Including Stabilization Splint and Low‐Level Laser Therapies on Managing Temporomandibular Disorders: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Clinical and Experimental Dental Research
low‐level laser therapy
myofascial pain
orofacial pain
stabilization splint
temporomandibular disorders
title The Effectiveness of Multimodality Treatment Including Stabilization Splint and Low‐Level Laser Therapies on Managing Temporomandibular Disorders: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full The Effectiveness of Multimodality Treatment Including Stabilization Splint and Low‐Level Laser Therapies on Managing Temporomandibular Disorders: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
title_fullStr The Effectiveness of Multimodality Treatment Including Stabilization Splint and Low‐Level Laser Therapies on Managing Temporomandibular Disorders: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full_unstemmed The Effectiveness of Multimodality Treatment Including Stabilization Splint and Low‐Level Laser Therapies on Managing Temporomandibular Disorders: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
title_short The Effectiveness of Multimodality Treatment Including Stabilization Splint and Low‐Level Laser Therapies on Managing Temporomandibular Disorders: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
title_sort effectiveness of multimodality treatment including stabilization splint and low level laser therapies on managing temporomandibular disorders a pilot randomized controlled trial
topic low‐level laser therapy
myofascial pain
orofacial pain
stabilization splint
temporomandibular disorders
url https://doi.org/10.1002/cre2.70038
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