Evaluation of the Effect of Vascular Photobiomodulation in Sleep Bruxism of Children and Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective: To assess the effect of the vascular photobiomodulation, also known as intravascular laser irradiation of blood (ILIB), combined with myofunctional exercises for the treatment of sleep bruxism in children and adolescents through a randomized controlled clinical trial. Materials and methods: Forty-six individuals with a diagnosis of bruxism between three and seventeen years of age were included. The participants were assessed before and after treatment with the aid of questionnaires addressing sleep bruxism and sleep quality as well as the measure of nocturnal oxygen saturation. The participants were divided into two groups: G1 (ILIB) and G2 (control). G1 received active ILIB combined with an orofacial myofunctional exercise protocol. G2 received sham ILIB and the exercise protocol. Ten-minute active/sham laser sessions were held at a frequency of once a week for four weeks. After each active/sham laser session, myofunctional therapy was performed and the participants were instructed to continue the exercises for five minutes twice a day. Results: Improvements were found in swallowing, breathing, and chewing among all patients in both groups, with no significant difference between groups. The reduction in bruxism was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in G1 (ILIB) compared to G2 (control). A weak to nil linear relationship between bruxism and oxygen saturation was found in both groups. Conclusion: ILIB favored a reduction in bruxism but was not decisive in improving orofacial functions, such as breathing, swallowing, and chewing. However, orofacial myofunctional therapy was effective at reducing conditions related to this sleep disorder.