Objective To investigate the clinical effects of laser-assisted acupuncture in treating temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). Methods A total of 120 patients with TMD admitted to Department of Stomatology, Aviation General Hospital from January 2023 to January 2025 were selected and divided into groups A, B, and C according to the actual treatment received, with 40 cases in each group. Groups A, B, and C received laser, acupuncture, and laser-assisted acupuncture therapies, respectively, for a treatment period of four weeks. Clinical efficacy indices, including pain intensity scores, maximum mouth opening (MMO), and temporomandibular joint function, along with the incidence of adverse reactions during treatment, were compared among three groups. Results The overall effective rates of treatment in groups A, B, and C were 75.00%, 80.00%, and 95.00%, respectively. The overall effective rate of treatment in group C was significantly higher than those in groups A and B (P<0.05). After four weeks of treatment, group C had lower visual analogue scale (VAS) scores; lower dysfunction index (DI), palpation index (PI), and craniomandibular index (CMI); lower scores on the mandibular function impairment questionnaire (MFIQ) scales for eating ability and executive function; and higher MMO (P<0.05) than groups A and B. After four weeks of treatment, no statistically significant differences in VAS scores; TMD, functional impairment, and muscle tenderness indices; scores on the MFIQ scales for eating ability and executive function; or MMO were found between groups A and B (P>0.05). No adverse reactions occurred in any of the three groups during the treatment period. Conclusion Laser-assisted acupuncture can improve clinical efficacy, mouth opening, and temporomandibular joint function and effectively relieve patients’ pain symptoms. Moreover, it is safe and reliable.
