LASER DE BAIXA POTÊNCIA NO TRATAMENTO DA DISFUNÇÃO DA ARTICULAÇÃO TEMPOROMANDIBULAR: UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) encompass various conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint, causing an imbalance in the stomatognathic system. Symptoms include joint pain, ear pain, noises, tinnitus, headache, muscle fatigue, and limited mandibular movements. TMD is the second most common cause of musculoskeletal pain, impairing quality of life and daily activities. In Brazil, approximately 39.2% of patients seeking medical-dental treatment present signs or symptoms of this condition, affecting especially women between the ages of 30 and 40. However, the present review study aims to evaluate the results obtained in the consulted literature regarding the administration of low-level laser doses (Joules/cm²) in photobiomodulation therapy for patients with TMD. To this end, advanced searches were conducted through scientific articles using electronic databases: PubMed, Regional Portal of BVS, and Scopus. The research was conducted in March 2024, using health science descriptors and their translations, such as Laser Therapy, Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, and Temporomandibular Joint; these descriptors were connected using the Boolean operator AND. The search yielded a total of 50 articles; after analyzing the articles, a meticulous selection was carried out based on title, topic, and abstract, resulting in 22 eligible articles. Therefore, the results of the studies, which will be evaluated and tabulated, will provide the author with important data regarding the protocols used in the treatment of acute symptoms of TMD of muscular, articular, and mixed origin.