Photobiomodulation and Stem Cell Therapy for Temporomandibular Joint Disc Disorders

Vesna Karic, Rahul Chandran, Heidi Abrahamse

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) refers to a group of disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and its related muscles. The two commonly used treatment modalities for TMD are occlusal splint therapy and relaxation therapy. Neither comprises definitive treatment. Objective: The objective of this review was to report updated information on photobiomodulation and stem cells, as an alternative treatment for the degenerative TMJ disc as a part of TMJ disorders. Materials and methods: With only a few research studies reported till date, this review also proposes the mechanism of laser irradiation on inflammatory mediators to treat TMD. Results: Photobiomodulation of stem cells with and without scaffolds could be used indirectly or directly as modulation of degenerative changes of the TMJ disc. Conclusions: The need for a distinct shift of the research margin in this field of dentistry is evident, specifically regarding the application of photobiomodulation and stem cells for tissue engineering of the TMJ disc.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)398-408
Number of pages11
JournalPhotobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery
Volume38
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2020

Keywords

  • laser
  • photobiomodulation
  • stem cells
  • temporomandibular joint disc
  • tissue engineering

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

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