Referred Pain Manifestation and Its Impact on Patients With Temporomandibular Disorder.

Objective: To investigate whether a higher number of sites eliciting referred pain upon palpation is associated with greater impairment in biopsychosocial aspects in TMD patients and identify variables that predict increased referred pain.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 77 women with myalgia, assessing the number of sites eliciting referred pain upon palpation in relation to clinical (duration, frequency, intensity, painful body sites, pain-related disability), psychological (stress, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, sleep quality), and psychophysical variables (mechanical and pressure pain thresholds, temporal summation and conditioned pain modulation).

Results: Spearman's correlation revealed a significant correlation between the number of sites eliciting referred pain upon palpation in the orofacial region and both pain intensity and frequency (p < 0.

Interplay of Psychosocial, Clinical and Modulation Mechanisms in Chronic TMD-Related Disability.

Background: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a multifactorial condition characterised by pain and functional impairment in the orofacial region. Although psychosocial and psychophysical factors significantly influence chronic pain, their combined impact on functional disability remains poorly understood.

Objectives: To investigate the influence of clinical, psychosocial and psychophysical variables on functional disability related to chronic pain in muscular TMD, utilising principal component analysis (PCA) and logistic regression.

Duloxetine in addition to self-management for painful temporomandibular disorders: a post hoc responder analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Aim: To identify the phenotypic characteristics of individuals with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) who may benefit from adding duloxetine to self-management (SM) strategies.

Methodology: This was a post hoc exploratory analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with SM-duloxetine (duloxetine 60 mg/day plus SM strategies for 12 weeks) in adult participants with painful TMD. The primary outcome was the proportion of responders to treatment (individuals with ≥ 30% reduction in pain intensity) in SM-duloxetine and SM-placebo group at week 12.

Who is the patient with resistant myofascial temporomandibular disorders pain? A somatosensory, psychosocial, and genetic characterization.

Background: Resistance to treatments have been assessed in chronic conditions such as migraine, but not in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). This study aimed to identify factors that influence treatment outcome in patients with myofascial TMD pain.

Methods: Seventy-two females were divided into three groups: TMD successfully treated (TMD-S, n = 24), TMD resistant to treatment (TMD-R, n = 24) and Controls without TMD (n = 24).

Impact of Repeated Use on Cyclic and Torsional Fatigue of 3 Rotary Files: Implications for Clinical Safety.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the cyclic and torsional fatigue of S2, Logic, and Flat File NiTi files, new and after repeated use by an undergraduate student.

Methods: Ninety (n = 90) artificial mandibular molars were prepared using S2, Logic, and Flat File systems. For each system, 10 new instruments were tested mechanically, and the other 10 were tested after preparing three prototyped molars with curved mesial roots (60°).

Do Objective Sleep Metrics and Psychosocial Profiles Differ in the Presence of Possible Awake Bruxism in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea? A Preliminary Polysomnographic Study.

Objective: Poor sleep quality and psychosocial impairment are reported to be important aetiological factors for the presence of awake bruxism (AB) although with its absence of certainty. Therefore, this preliminary study aimed to investigate the relation between polysomnography (PSG) objective sleep metrics and psychosocial factors in the presence of possible AB in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) individuals.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 38 OSA individuals (47.

Association between generalized joint hypermobility, temporomandibular joint hypertranslation and temporomandibular disorders: a scoping review.

Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) is one of the pathophysiological contributing factors for the development of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). There are, however, several counterpoints on the potential relation between TMD and joint hypermobility, especially when considering the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), event known as TMJ hypertranslation. Additionally, there is no consensus regarding the clinical and imaging diagnostic criteria for such condition.

Dietary Profile of Women With Chronic Muscle Temporomandibular Disorder: An Observational Study.

Background: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is the main chronic pain that affects the face, and it is associated with dietary changes due to pain and dysfunction. However, there is a scarcity of studies on its impact on nutrition and vice versa.

Objectives: To assess and compare the intake of energy and nutrients among chronic TMD myalgia and asymptomatic women and to evaluate data according to dietary reference intakes (DRI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) values.

Qualitative somatosensory evaluation of recipient and donor sites of subepithelial connective tissue grafts: a preliminary study.

Objectives: The subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) plus coronal advanced flap is commonly evaluated by clinical parameters, but potential sensory changes (patients' perception of painful or painless sensations) need to be further explored. This preliminary study aimed to qualitatively evaluate the somatosensory profile of recipient and palatal donor sites of SCTG.

Materials And Methods: Sensory tests were applied at SCTG recipient and donor sites at baseline, after 3 and 6 months.

Auriculotemporal neuralgia overlapped with chronic orofacial myofascial pain: A case report of a challenging diagnosis.

Aim: Auriculotemporal neuralgia (AN) is a rare condition characterized by severe, stabbing, unilateral pain inadequately described in the literature. Often coexisting with other conditions sharing the same innervation, and this overlap complicates clinical interpretation, leading to diagnostic errors and inappropriate therapeutic choices. The absence of AN in headache and facial pain diagnostic criteria hampers access to crucial information for diagnostic reasoning.

Central sensitization inventory is associated with psychological functioning but not with psychophysical assessment of pain amplification.

Background: The central sensitization inventory (CSI) is a questionnaire that has been widely used as a tool for assessing symptoms associated with sensitization. However, its ability to identify individuals with this phenomenon has recently been questioned. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of CSI with psychosocial and psychophysical factors in patients with painful TMD diagnosed according to diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD) and asymptomatic controls, as well as to determine the influence of these variables on the CSI scores variations.

Impact of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on experimental masseter pain in rats.

This study aimed to assess the influence of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes on the nociceptive behavior evoked by the injection of hypertonic saline (HS) into the masseter muscle of rats. Forty male rats were equally divided into four groups: a) isotonic saline control, which received 0.9% isotonic saline (IS), (Ctrl-IS); b) hypertonic saline control, which received 5% HS (Ctrl-HS); c) STZ-induced diabetic, which received IS, (STZ-IS); d) STZ-induced diabetic, which received HS (STZ-HS).

Somatosensory alterations after single-unit dental implant immediate loading: A 1-year follow-up study.

Objective: This cohort study aimed to assess the incidence of somatosensory alterations after implant surgery using standardized quantitative and qualitative sensory testing.

Methods: 33 participants with single-tooth loss, undergoing immediate implant loading were included. Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) and Qualitative Sensory Testing (QualST) were conducted at eight time points over a year (baseline to 1 year).

Impact of different agitation methods on smear layer cleaning of mesial canals with accentuated curvature.

Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of different methods of irrigant agitation on smear layer removal in the apical third of curved mesial canals of 3 dimensionally (D) printed mandibular molars.

Materials And Methods: Sixty 3D-printed mandibular second molars were used, presenting a 70° curvature and a Vertucci type II configuration in the mesial root. A round cavity was cut 2 mm from the apex using a trephine of 2 mm in diameter, 60 bovine dentin disks were made, and a smear layer was formed.

Referred pain is associated with greater odontogenic spontaneous pain and a heightened pain sensitivity in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.

Background: Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis often results in heightened reactions to thermal stimuli such as pain evoked by a cold stimulus, and spontaneous odontogenic pain (unprovoked pain).

Objective: This study primarily compared the clinical manifestations of odontogenic spontaneous pain and pain provoked by cold stimulus specifically focusing on their sensory discriminative characteristics (intensity, duration and quality) between symptomatic irreversible pulpitis patients with and without referred pain.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with referred pain and 12 patients without referred pain were included in this cross-sectional study.

Nutrition and chronic musculoskeletal pain: A narrative review and directions for temporomandibular disorder research and management.

Background: Recent evidence suggests neuro-immune mechanisms may link dietary patterns to chronic painful conditions (CPC). In the research field of oro-facial pain (OFP), studies focuses primarily on dietary mechanical limitations due to pain and dysfunction.

Objective: This narrative review aimed to overview the role of nutrition on CPC, with emphasis on temporomandibular disorder (TMD), enlightening OFP researcher on dietary assessment possibilities and providing directions for studies in the field of OFP and nutrition.

Influence of psychometric and sleep quality features on painful mechanical sensitivity and pain modulation in patients with temporomandibular disorders.

Unlabelled: Investigating the collective impact of psychometric properties and sleep quality on pain sensitivity in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients could improve clinical management strategies.

Objective: Assessing whether combined psychometric properties and sleep quality impact painful mechanical sensitivity and pain modulation in TMD patients.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study using secondary data analysis of 77 TMD patients and 101 controls.

Botulinum toxin-A effects on pain, somatosensory and psychosocial features of patients with refractory masticatory myofascial pain: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.

The antinociceptive effect of BoNT-A have been well documented in animal studies; however, results of few but well-designed randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials about BoNT-A efficacy in masticatory myofascial pain (MFP) are inconsistent. Therefore, the present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of BoNT-A in patients with refractory MFP. Twenty-eight patients with pain reduction of less than 30% despite conservative treatment and with an average pain intensity of > 50 mm on the visual analogue scale (VAS) participated.

Prediction of duloxetine efficacy in addition to self-management in painful temporomandibular disorders: A randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) is a potential predictor of treatment response that has not been studied in temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Objectives: We conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) of duloxetine in addition to self-management (SM) strategies to investigate its efficacy to reduce pain intensity in painful TMD patients. Moreover, we investigated whether baseline CPM would predict the duloxetine efficacy to reduce TMD pain intensity.

Divergence between confidence and knowledge of endodontists regarding non-odontogenic pain.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the self-reported levels of confidence and knowledge related to non-odontogenic pain among a group of Brazilian endodontists.

Methodology: A total of one hundred and forty-six endodontists affiliated with the Brazilian Society of Endodontics participated in the survey. The questionnaire, distributed via email or WhatsApp, contained inquiries designed to gauge self-perceived confidence and knowledge concerning non-odontogenic pain.

Influence of awake bruxism behaviors on fatigue of the masticatory muscles in healthy young adults.

The present cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the relationship between awake bruxism and fatigue of masticatory muscles in healthy young adults. For this purpose, 121 graduate students participated in this study. Frequency of awake bruxism was collected for 7 consecutive days by ecological momentary assessment (EMA) using an online survey (mentimeter).

Real time evaluation of awake bruxism behaviors in young asymptomatic students and its impact on the masticatory muscles.

Statement Of Problem: The relationship of awake bruxism with pain is still unclear.

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate awake bruxism behavior for 1 week in healthy young adults with ecological momentary assessment, assess its relationship with masticatory muscle tenderness, and the participation of endogenous analgesia.

Material And Methods: A total of 150 healthy participants were provided with a smartphone application that sent 10 alerts at random intervals every day.

Painful Temporomandibular Joint Clicking: Genetic Point of View.

Aims: To determine whether there is an association between gene polymorphisms and patients with painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking when compared to patients with painless TMJ clicking and a healthy control group.

Methods: In this pilot study, the genotypic and allelic frequencies of candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were compared among 60 individuals divided equally into three groups: patients with painful TMJ clicking (n = 20); patients with painless TMJ clicking (n = 20); and healthy controls (n = 20). Participants were genotyped for the following SNPs using real-time polymerase chain reaction: MMP1 -16071G/2G, COMT Val158Met, TNFα -308, IL1β +3954, IL6 -174, and IL10 -1082.

Influence of genetic polymorphisms on mechanical pain sensitivity and endogenous pain modulation of trigeminal and spinal areas.

Background: Previous evidence indicates significant association between genetic polymorphisms and phenotypes related to pain sensitivity in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Despite the important advances in cataloguing diverse factors such as sleep disorders, anxiety and depression, the interrelated mechanisms of painful TMD aetiopathogenesis still need investigation.

Objectives: This case-control study aimed to evaluate the influence of genetic polymorphisms (rs6296, rs6295, rs1799971, rs4680, rs4633, rs4818) and psychosocial factors on the mechanical pain sensitivity and endogenous pain modulation in women with painful TMD and asymptomatic controls.