Bethânia Molin Giaretta De Carli

The effect of laser and botulinum toxin in the treatment of myofascial pain and mouth opening: A randomized clinical trial☆☆☆★★★

This study conducted a randomized clinical trial in 15 patients, who sought care at the Dental Clinic of the University of Passo Fundo, in order to compare the use of low-level laser and botulinum toxin in the treatment of myofascial pain and whether they alter the mouth opening of patients with temporomandibular disorder. The patients were divided into two groups: the Laser group received low-level GaAlAs laser, 100mW of power at a wavelength of 830nm in continuous light emission; and the Toxin group received 30U of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in the first session, and 15U after fifteen days. The assessments were performed by measuring pain with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and mouth opening with a digital caliper. Data were submitted to Students t test at 5% significance level. Regarding pain symptoms, the results indicate that groups treated with laser and toxin registered 7U in VAS, at day 5 the scores were 4.75 and 4.86U, respectively. The laser worked faster (day 12) at 2.75U, and the group treated with BTX-A registered 2.86U at day 30. Both therapies investigated were effective in reducing pain, but the effect of low-level laser was faster than the use of BTX-A. Both treatments showed no statistically significant improvement in mouth opening.

Clinical Correlation of Oral Candidosis and Oral Lichen Planus

Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease of unclear aetiology. The disease often affects the oral mucosa and may manifest many clinical characteristics, being classified as typical and atypical forms. More importantly, lichen planus has the potential for malignant transformation. Candidosis is the most common disease in the mouth, Candida albicans being the main organism found. Candida sp. may secondarily infect oral lesions such as leukoplakia, oral lichen planus and squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) frequently present Candida infection. Superimposed candidosis lesions can interfere on the diagnosis of OLP, because the organism Candida albicans can change the reticular pattern characteristic of OLP. So, the aim of this chapter is to review the literature on the association of candidosis and oral lichen planus.