Low level laser therapy (LLLT) for orofacial pain

Low-power lasers are a group of lasers with a power less than 500 mW and unlike high-power
lasers they have no effect on tissue temperature; they produce light-dependent chemical
reactions in tissues. The purpose of this study was to review the clinical applications of these
lasers and their success rate in different studies in orofacial pains. The articles with the key
word “low level laser therapy” were extracted from pubmed. Clinical trials, meta-analysis,
randomized clinical trials, and review articles were selected. Related articles to orofacial
region were gathered and selected from the search results and carefully reviewed. Laser
therapy may affect many cellular and sub-cellular processes, although exact mechanism
has not been well-defined yet. Articles had different points of views as mentioned in the
context of this article. Low level laser therapy was effective in orofacial pain relief in most
studies, but the use of laser remains controversial. These lasers have analgesic features,
and it is according to these features they have been used in the treatment of orofacial pain,
including myofacial pain, mucositis, facial myalgia, temporomandibular joint disorders and
neuralgia. It seems that laser therapy can be considered as an alternative physical modality
in treatment of orofacial pain