We’ve heard that oral appliance therapy is a successful form of treatment for TMJ pain, but what other options are available? It is important to understand that while treatments are aplenty, your TMJ expert needs to choose the best treatment for your individual symptoms. Other than oral appliance therapy, we can provide low level laser therapy (LLLT) for proper treatment of your pain. Let’s take a closer look at what LLLT is, and how it works in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

Understanding TMD

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a term that contains numerous symptoms that affect the teeth, masticatory muscles, and TMJ, which results in painful conditions and joint clicking. TMD is a complex condition that is extremely common and most often reported in individuals between the ages of 20 and 40 years. An estimated 15% of Americans suffer from TMD, and about 75% suffer from TMD symptoms, with the majority being treated through conservative methods.

What is LLLT?

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is utilized for the relief of pain caused by temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). LLLT is a physical therapy often used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, but has been shown effective for treatment of TMD as well.

This form of treatment is a non-invasive, quick and safe, non-pharmaceutical intervention that may be beneficial for patients suffering from TMJ pain disorders. As with any therapy, patient response will depend not only on the type of laser, but also the target tissue. LLLT is a useful method for the treatment of TMD-related pain, especially long lasting pain.