الفهرس 
AcknowledgementOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The current study was a randomized controlled clinical trial that was performed to investigate the effects of low level laser therapy on TMD patients with disc displacement with reduction using MRI and compare these effects with occlusal splint and placebo groups .
Sample size calculation was carried out and resulted in enrolment of 30 patients requiring treatment of the signs and symptoms of disc displacement with reduction. The sample was recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Orthodontic and Oral Surgery Departments, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University .
The sample was divided in three groups, the first group received an anterior repositioning splint worn during night time for 3 months, the second group received 12 laser sessions over 3 months and the same was carried for the placebo group except the laser device was not functioning. Diagnosis and clinical examination of the signs and symptoms of TMD were performed before and after treatment using the RDC/TMD sheets. The change in the articular disc position was measured on MRI before and after treatment .
The assessed outcomes were the Clinical improvement of the signs and symptoms of TMD, the anteroposterior and vertical changes in the articular disc position on MRI. Statistical analysis was performed on the gathered data and results were withdrawn .
from the results of the clinical and statistical analyses, and within the limitations of this study, the following conclusions could be withdrawn :
1. Although VAS scores showed statistically insignificant differences, the characteristic pain intensity decreased significantly in the laser group, denoting overall improvement of painful symptoms. However no statistically significant difference was found between groups.