The risk profile is low. The principal precaution is eye protection, which is worn by everyone in the room. It is used cautiously or avoided over known or suspected malignancy, over the thyroid, and in pregnancy — your history is reviewed before it is used.

How quickly does it work?

Some people notice reduced tenderness after the first session; more commonly the change accumulates over a short course. If several sessions have produced no discernible difference, continuing is not sensible and we would revisit the diagnosis instead.

Can it replace an orthotic or other treatment?

No. It addresses painful tissue, not the mechanical or airway cause creating the load. Used alone it tends to produce short-lived relief, which is why it is offered as an adjunct within a plan rather than as a standalone course.

Laser Photobiomodulation

Photobiomodulation uses low-level light at specific wavelengths to influence cellular activity in tissue — it does not cut, and it does not generate meaningful heat. In orofacial pain it is used as an adjunct for painful, inflamed muscle and joint tissue, and it is worth being precise about what it does and does not achieve.

What it actually does

Light in the red and near-infrared range is absorbed by chromophores in the mitochondria, principally cytochrome c oxidase. The proposed effect is increased cellular energy production together with modulation of inflammatory mediators and local blood flow. In practice this presents as reduced pain and reduced tenderness in the treated tissue. The label matters: this is photobiomodulation, a non-thermal effect, and it is a different thing entirely from surgical laser use.

Where it is used here

The usual targets are painful masticatory muscles, tender points that are too irritable to tolerate firm manual work, and the joint capsule itself where there is localised tenderness. It is frequently useful at the start of a treatment course precisely because it is comfortable — it can reduce irritability enough that manual therapy and range-of-motion work become tolerable, when neither was at first.

What the evidence supports

Trials and systematic reviews of low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular disorders generally report modest short-term reductions in pain and improvements in opening compared with placebo, with considerable variation across studies and inconsistency in wavelength, dose and protocol. It is fair to describe it as a reasonable, low-risk adjunct with genuine but moderate support. It is not fair to present it as a definitive treatment for a temporomandibular disorder, and we do not.

What a session involves

The handpiece is applied to the skin over the target muscles or joint for a short period per site. There is no incision, no anaesthetic and no recovery time, and most people feel either nothing or mild warmth. Treatment is typically delivered in a short series rather than as a single session, and it is always combined with treatment aimed at the underlying cause rather than used alone.

Common questions

Is it safe?: The risk profile is low. The principal precaution is eye protection, which is worn by everyone in the room. It is used cautiously or avoided over known or suspected malignancy, over the thyroid, and in pregnancy — your history is reviewed before it is used.
How quickly does it work?: Some people notice reduced tenderness after the first session; more commonly the change accumulates over a short course. If several sessions have produced no discernible difference, continuing is not sensible and we would revisit the diagnosis instead.
Can it replace an orthotic or other treatment?: No. It addresses painful tissue, not the mechanical or airway cause creating the load. Used alone it tends to produce short-lived relief, which is why it is offered as an adjunct within a plan rather than as a standalone course.

Not sure where to start?

Request a virtual consultation with Dr. Samadian. In-person visits are by appointment in New York.

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Related Care

All Orofacial Pain