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.

Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Type-A I in the Improvement of Mandibular Motion and Muscle Sensibility in Myofascial Pain TMD Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study assessed the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in mandibular range of motion and muscle tenderness to palpation in persistent myofascial pain (MFP) patients (ReBEC RBR-2d4vvv). Eighty consecutive female subjects with persistent MFP, were randomly divided into four groups ( = 20): three BoNT-A groups with different doses and a saline solution group (placebo control group). Treatments were injected bilaterally in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscle in a single session.

Who is the individual that will complain about temporomandibular joint clicking?

Background: Understanding the profile of the individual complaining of TMJ clicking can help in the clinical approach of these patients.

Objective: To identify clinical variables associated with individuals who complain about and seek treatment for TMJ clicking.

Methods: Seventy-two individuals, composed the sample: Group 1 - patients with a complaint of TMJ clicking who sought treatment; (n = 36); Group 2 - individuals with TMJ clicking who have no complaints about it (n = 36).

Gluten-Free Diet Reduces Pain in Women with Myofascial Pain in Masticatory Muscles: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of a gluten-free diet (GFD) as a treatment modality for pain management in women with chronic myofascial pain in masticatory muscles.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 39 female subjects were evaluated according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and divided into three groups: a healthy group (n = 14; mean ± SD age = 34.57 ± 9.

Oral behaviors, bruxism, malocclusion and painful temporomandibular joint clicking: is there an association?

The present cross-sectional case-control study aimed to determine if there is an association between specific oral behaviors, sleep bruxism (SB), awake bruxism (AB), and painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking. Ninety individuals were dived into three groups; Group 1 (n = 30): painful TMJ clicking; Group 2 (n = 30): painless TMJ clicking; and Group 3 (n = 30): control group. The following clinical data were studied: oral behaviors (unilateral chewing, gum chewing, nail biting, foreign objects biting, leaning with jaw against the hand, and sleeping in a position that pressures the jaw), SB, AB (including the frequency in 10 days, evaluated by ecological momentary assessment), and malocclusions investigated based on clinical inspections (anterior open bite, posterior cross-bite, abnormal overbite/overjet, occlusal guidance, mediotrusive and/or laterotrusive interferences, retruded contact position to maximum intercuspation slide, missing posterior teeth).

Effects of acute mental stress on conditioned pain modulation in temporomandibular disorders patients and healthy individuals.

Background: Stress is a contributing factor to painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Nevertheless, the underpinnings of this relationship are not fully understood.

Objective: To investigate the effects of acute mental stress on conditioned pain modulation (CPM) in TMD patients compared with healthy individuals.

Multifocal Analysis of Acute Pain After Third Molar Removal.

To analyze the pain modulation capacity profile in a Brazilian population, the relationship between opioid receptor () and Catechol-O-methyltransferase () 1polymorphisms and pain modulation capacity was determined through preoperative pain modulation tests and acute postoperative pain control evaluation, swelling, and trismus in 200 volunteers undergoing lower third molar removal. Psychologic and clinical parameters were measured. Patient DNA was sequenced for single nucleotide polymorphisms in and , and the salivary concentration of interleukin (IL)-2 (IL)-6, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was evaluated.

Impact of rehabilitation with removable complete or partial dentures on masticatory efficiency and quality of life: A cross-sectional mapping study.

Statement Of Problem: Tooth loss directly affects mastication, cognitive function, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Complete dentures (CDs) and removable partial dentures (RPDs) represent a common oral rehabilitation approach. However, studies addressing the impact of removable dentures on replacing missing teeth are lacking.

Can Concomitant Masticatory Muscle Contraction Interfere with Temporomandibular Joint Arthralgia Evaluation?

Aims: To investigate the effect of masticatory muscle contraction on the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the lateral pole of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in patients with TMJ arthralgia and in asymptomatic individuals.

Methods: A total of 72 individuals divided into two groups (group 1: patients with unilateral TMJ arthralgia [n = 36]; group 2: control group, asymptomatic individuals [n = 36]) were compared. The PPT of the lateral pole of the TMJ with and without concomitant masticatory muscle contraction was determined using a digital algometer in both groups.

Effect of Genetic Polymorphisms on Pain Sensitivity in the Orofacial Region: A Systematic Review.

Aims: To systematically review the literature to assess whether genetic polymorphisms affect orofacial pain sensitivity in healthy individuals and in patients with chronic orofacial pain disorders.

Methods: Electronic searches were conducted to identify observational studies and clinical trials investigating the association between genetic polymorphisms and orofacial pain sensitivity in healthy individuals and/or patients with chronic orofacial pain disorders. Searches were carried out in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases using Medical Subject Headings and free terms.