Objective: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) treatment for pain caused by temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) was investigated in a controlled study comparing applied energy density, subgroups of TMD, and duration of disorders. Background Data: Although LLLT is a physical therapy used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, there is little evidence for its effectiveness in the treatment of TMD. Methods: The study group of 61 patients was treated with 10 J/cm ² or 15 J/cm ² , and the control group of 19 patients was treated with 0.1 J/cm ² . LLLT was performed by a GaAlAs diode laser with output of 400 mW emitting radiation wavelength of 830 nm in 10 sessions. The probe with aperture 0.2 cm ² was placed over the painful muscle spots in the patients with myofascial pain. In patients with TMD arthralgia the probe was placed behind, in front of, and above the mandibular condyle, and into the meatus acusticus externus. Changes in pain were evaluated by self-administered questionnaire. Results: Application of 10 J/cm ² or 15 J/cm ² was significantly more effective in reducing pain compared to placebo, but there were no significant differences between the energy densities used in the study group and between patients with myofascial pain and temporomandibular joint arthralgia. Results were marked in those with chronic pain. Conclusion: The results suggest that LLLT (application of 10 J/cm ² and 15 J/cm ² ) can be considered as a useful method for the treatment of TMD-related pain, especially long lasting pain.

Objective: Noninvasive laser therapy is a treatment method employed in many disciplines. This review article points out instances when it appears to be effective to administer such therapy. Materials and Methods: Noninvasive laser therapy has a number of suitable applications that cause minimal damage to the patient. Many patients are not sent to institutions equipped with relevant instruments, since physicians are burdened by a number of contraindications, many of which are incorrect. The purpose of this article was to divide these contraindications into the following three groups: correct indications, indications doubtful under certain conditions, and incorrect indications. Discussion: We consider the following contraindications as correct: history of a histologically demonstrated malignant carcinoma; irradiation of the neck region in hyperthyreosis; epilepsy; exposure of the retina; and exposure of the abdomen during pregnancy. The contraindications that are doubtful under certain conditions are as follows: fever and infectious diseases; certain blood diseases; heavy blood losses; neuropathies; and irradiation in the region of gonads. The other contraindications reported in the literature are considered to be incorrect.

Objective: The purpose of this study was an objective consideration of possible benefits of phototherapy implemented with therapeutic laser or possibly polarized light in treating episiotomy, which is the most frequent obstetric intervention. Materials and Methods: In the present study, the authors treated a total of 2,436 women. The light sources were as follows: a laser of a wave length 670 nm, power 20 mW, with continuous alternations of frequencies 10 Hz, 25 Hz, and 50 Hz, a polarized light source of a 400-2,000 nm wavelength in an interval of power 20 mW and frequency 100 Hz and a monochromatic light source of a 660 nm wavelength and power 40 mW, with simultaneous application of a magnetic field at an induction 8 mT. Results: The work demonstrated high healing effects with minimum secondary complications in the treatment of episiotomies using a therapeutic laser at an energy density of 2 J/cm². The application of polarized light at an energy density of 5 J/cm² also exerted favorable therapeutic effects.

The article summarizes contemporary scientific knowledge of depleted uranium effects on human health due to its use in military conflicts. The discussion covers cases of minimal risk due to external irradiation resulting from the storage and handling of depleted uranium ammunition and, in contrast, important toxicological and radio-toxicological risks of late effects resulting from the inhalation and ingestion of dust particles produced by the burning of the core of the anti-tank ammunition.

Objective: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a treatment method commonly used in physiotherapy for musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to monitor the function of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding tissues and compare the objective measurements of the effect of LLLT. Background data: LLLT has been considered effective in reducing pain and muscular tension; thus improving the quality of patients' lives. Materials and Methods: TMJ function was evaluated by cephalometric tracing analysis, orthopantomogram, TMJ tomogram, and computer face-bow record. Interalveolar space between central incisors before and after therapy was measured. Patients evaluated pain on the Visual Analog Scale. LLLT was performed in five treatment sessions (energy density of 15.4 J/cm ² ) by semiconductive GaAlAs laser with an output of 280 mW, emitting radiation wavelength of 830 mm. The laser supplied a spot of∼0.2 cm ² . Results: Baseline comparisons between the healthy patients and patients with low-level laser application show that TMJ pain during function is based on anatomical and function changes in TMJ areas. Significant differences were seen in the posterior and anterior face height. The results comparing healthy and impaired TMJ sagittal condyle paths showed that patients with TMJ pain during function had significantly flatter nonanatomical movement during function. After therapy, the unpleasant feeling was reduced from 27.5 to 4.16 on the pain Visual Analog Scale. The pain had reduced the ability to open the mouth from 34 to 42 mm. Conclusions: The laser therapy was effective in the improvement of the range of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and promoted a significant reduction of pain symptoms.

Objective: This case report describes the treatment of a patient with arthralgia of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) caused by disc displacement. Background Data: The goal of the treatment of TMJ arthralgia is to decrease pain by promotion of the musculoskeletal system's natural healing ability. Methods: This report describes the complex treatment of TMJ arthralgia. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) was chosen for its antiinflammatory and analgesic effects. Laser therapy was carried out using the GaAlAs diode laser with an output power of 400 mW, emitting radiation with a wavelength of 830 nm, and having energy density of 15 J/cm ² ; the laser radiation was applied by contact mode on four targeted spots in 10 sessions. Physiotherapy was recommended to this patient to prevent the injury of intraarticular tissue caused by incorrect movement during opening of the mouth. Splint stabilization and prosthetic treatment were used to reduce overloading of the TMJ, resulting from unstable occlusion and to help repositioning of the dislocated disc. Results: Five applications of LLLT led to decrease of pain in the area of the TMJ on the Visual Analog Scale, from 20 to 5 mm. The anti-inflammatory effect of the laser was confirmed by thermographic examination. Before treatment, the temperature differences between the areas of the normal TMJ and TMJ with arthralgia was higher than 0.5°C. However, at the conclusion of LLLT, temperatures in the areas surrounding the TMJ were equalized. Conclusion: This study showed the effectiveness of complex non-invasive treatment in patients with arthralgia of the TMJ. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of LLLT were confirmed by infrared thermography.