What do systematic reviews say?

Low‐level laser therapy vs Conventional orthodontic appliance treatment

It is very uncertain whether low level laser therapy (LLLT) changes patient perception of pain and discomfort (VAS 0 to 100 mm) compared with conventional orthodontic appliance treatment (very low certainty).

• Non‐surgical adjunctive interventions for accelerating tooth movement in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment 2023 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Space closure / first visit
  MD -0.4 [-1.87, 1.07]
  1 study · 37 participants
  Very low

Psychological therapies (cognitive therapy) vs placebo

It is very uncertain whether psychological therapies (cognitive therapy) changes relief of burning/discomfort (symptom relief; pain intensity) compared with placebo (very low certainty).

• Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes

  long-term (>3 to 6 months)
  MD -3.20 [-4.22, -2.18]
  1 study · 30 participants
  Very low

Low‐level laser therapy vs placebo

It is very uncertain whether electromagnetic radiation (low-level laser therapy) changes relief of burning/discomfort (symptom relief; pain intensity) compared with placebo (very low certainty).

• Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes

  short-term (up to 3 months)
  MD -30.36 [-44.22, -16.50]
  1 study · 58 participants
  Very low

Occlusal splint vs Pharmacological therapy

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders 2024 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Listed in Summary of findings 6 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Occlusal splint vs Physical therapy (ultrasound, exercise, sensorimotor training, laser, TENS, manual therapy)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders 2024 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Listed in Summary of findings 3 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Occlusal splint vs Behavioural therapy (counselling, CBT, relaxation, self-care management)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders 2024 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Listed in Summary of findings 4 as 'Not reported'; this outcome was not reported by any included study for this comparison.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Pilocarpine vs no treatment/placebo

• Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes

  End of RT
  Insufficient evidence of a difference: oral discomfort MD -18.00 (95% CI -37.41 to 1.41); eating difficulties MD -14.40 (95% CI -35.38 to 6.58); mucosal pain MD -14.80 (95% CI -37.07 to 7.47); oral complications RR…
  2 studies
  GRADE not reported

Pilocarpine vs placebo

• Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy 2015 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Both studies assessed oral discomfort and dysphonia (Johnson 1993; LeVeque 1993); pilocarpine reported to improve associated symptoms of salivary gland dysfunction (oral discomfort, dysphonia). No pooled data.
  2 studies · 278 participants
  GRADE not reported