The gold standard for the management of
sleep bruxism (SB) is the use of a rigid
occlusal splint; however, there are limitations for its use in children and alternatives to the management of SB are needed.
Photobiomodulation therapy has been used with positive results in
temporomandibular disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of
photobiomodulation therapy with infrared LED in children with SB. Thirty children were divided into three groups: Group 1: control/absence of
bruxism (n = 10); Group 2: SB treated with infrared LED (n = 10); Group 3: SB treated with
occlusal splint (n = 10). Electromyographic evaluation of masseter, anterior temporalis, and upper trapezius, and salivary
dopamine levels were assessed before and
after treatments. Data were statistically analyzed using two-way mixed model ANOVA. An increase in the temporalis and right masseter EMG activity at rest was observed in Group 3, with large effect size (p < 0.05). Left masseter and temporalis EMG activity did not differ over time in the LED group, similar to the control group. Moreover, the EMG activity of masticatory muscles during chewing and upper trapezius muscle did not differ over time in all groups. The results also pointed to a difference in the levels of
dopamine between children with and without SB, with Group 3 showing higher levels in the pre-treatment time compared to controls (p < 0.025). In conclusion, an increase in the masticatory muscles activity at rest was observed in children undergoing
splint therapy. Moreover, a difference in the levels of salivary
dopamine was found between children with and without SB.