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Study decoded · health · Emerging
Two Red Light Laser Devices Both Aid Facial Nerve Recovery After Jaw Joint Surgery
24 patients studied15 sessions over 60 daysBoth devices improved scoresNo device beat the other
A study published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine followed 24 patients with facial nerve dysfunction after temporomandibular joint surgery and found both red light therapy devices tested produced measurable nerve function recovery over 60 days, with no significant difference between the two systems.
Researchers randomly assigned 24 patients who developed facial nerve dysfunction after temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery between May 2022 and April 2026 to one of two photobiomodulation (red light therapy) systems: the GRR Laser or the SiroLaser Advance Plus. Treatment started the first day after surgery and ran for 15 sessions, daily for the first 5 days, then every other day. Facial nerve function was scored on Days 5, 7, 10, 30 and 60 using three standard tools, including a patient-reported quality-of-life measure called the FaCE Scale. Both groups improved significantly on the two numeric rating scales across the 60 days. From Day 5 to Day 60, the GRR Laser group gained 17.67 points on the Sunnybrook scale versus 13.75 points in the comparison group, and 22.92 points on the FaCE Scale versus 18.64 points. Despite this gap, a statistical model tracking the full recovery pattern over time found no significant difference between devices at any point.
Photobiomodulation uses specific wavelengths of red or near-infrared light that cells absorb to boost energy production and reduce local inflammation. As general background physiology, this cellular energy boost is thought to support tissue repair after surgical trauma, which plausibly applies to nerve healing here, though the study did not state this mechanism directly. The finding that device choice did not change the overall recovery trajectory suggests consistent early treatment, not the specific laser brand, is what drives the pattern seen here.
Sunnybrook Facial Score Change, Day 5 to Day 60
Data Panel
- Who
- 24 patients with facial nerve dysfunction following TMJ surgery, performed May 2022 to April 2026; age and sex split not reported
- Design
- Randomized comparison of two photobiomodulation (red light therapy) devices, GRR Laser versus SiroLaser Advance Plus, assessed on postoperative Days 5, 7, 10, 30 and 60
- Dose
- 15 treatment sessions starting postoperative Day 1: daily for the first 5 days, then every other day thereafter
- Primary result
- Sunnybrook score change Day 5 to Day 60: +17.67 points (GRR Laser) vs +13.75 points (SiroLaser); FaCE Scale change: +22.92 points (GRR Laser) vs +18.64 points (SiroLaser); longitudinal model showed no significant difference between devices
- Secondary
- Both groups improved significantly over time on Sunnybrook and FaCE scores; House-Brackmann grades showed no significant difference between groups at any follow-up point
- Funding / conflicts
- Not reported
The trial included only 24 patients split across two groups, with no untreated comparison group, so how much of the recovery came from the light therapy versus natural post-surgical healing is not established. The larger change-score improvement in the GRR Laser group did not hold up in the primary longitudinal model, and funding and conflict disclosures were not reported in the available abstract.
Dr. Axe's Take
Facial nerve injury after jaw surgery is frightening, and this study shows red light therapy starting the very next day gave both devices tested a real shot at supporting recovery over two months. I don't think the specific laser brand is the deciding factor here. What matters is starting photobiomodulation early and keeping sessions consistent, daily at first, then tapering. If you or a family member face TMJ surgery, ask your surgeon or physical therapist whether in-office red light therapy is available for post-op nerve support, and don't skip follow-up visits where recovery gets measured. This is a small study, so treat it as encouraging evidence for a low-risk adjunct therapy, not a guaranteed fix.
— Dr. Axe