Use Of Laser Phototherapy In The Treatment Of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Abstract

Responsible for the sensory stimuli of the viscerocranium, the 5th pair of cranial nerves, called the trigeminal nerve due to its 3 branches, is a mixed-function nerve. The diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia is directly related to the symptoms reported by the patient during the anamnesis. The right treatment depends on the correct diagnosis. The exact etiology of TN is still unknown. It affects around 4 to 13 individuals per 100,000 and although it seems to be a neuropathy with a low incidence, it is the most common among facial pain syndromes. A retrospective cross-sectional observational study was carried out. We used data on laser therapy treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia, received and treated at the Laser Clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia, from 2003 to 2022. A total of 119 patients with a diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia were treated, most of them with unilateral pain (89%). After diagnosis, the initial irradiation protocol was determined individually. The laser frequency applied was 808 nm (infrared) due to its greater ability to penetrate and activate chromophores in nerve and bone structures. The amount of energy applied varies from case to case, usually starting with 2 or 3 J per point, which is indicated for cases of regeneration and analgesia. The final status of the treatment is based on the patient’s score according to the visual analog scale, where 10 is the highest pain threshold and 0 is no pain. 65% of the patients related no pain or ate at least under 3 grades before the first degree Laser phototherapy is an effective means of recovery, reducing pain symptoms and improving the quality of life of patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia, and the infrared wave spectrum is the most suitable for this treatment.