Chronic facial pain: different comorbidities and characteristics between neuropathic and nonneuropathic conditions

Knowledge and awareness about temporomandibular disorder among dentists in India: Questionnaire study and review

AIM

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) comprise ailments involving the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint) and its associated anatomical structures. The complexity involved in TMD is primarily due to its broad spectrum of conditions, clinical signs and symptoms variability, and multifactorial etiology. Considering the above, the present study was performed to help understand the prevailing knowledge and awareness of TMD among Indian dentists in the context of the new specialty "orofacial pain".

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Questinnaire study and review.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The questionnaire was distributed using a web-based portal nationwide among Indian dentists. Dentists were invited to participate, clearly stating that the intent and purpose of the questionnaire was to record the existing knowledge and awareness concerning temporomandibular disorders among Indian dentists. The questionnaire was segregated into three sections: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of TMDs. The questions were recorded using a Likert three-point scale (1=agree; 2=disagree; 3=not aware). 310 dentists participated in the survey, among which 105 were general dentists (BDS [Bachelor of Dental Surgery] graduates), and 205 were dentists with specialist training (MDS [Masters of Dental Surgery] graduates).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

The results obtained from the study participants was used to calculate the percentage and frequency, following which tabulations were made based on graduate type and clinical experience. The values obtained from all three sections were recorded, and the responses were analysed using Pearson's Chi-Square test with statistical significance kept at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Results of the study disclosed that only 58.1% of general dentists and 46.8% of specialists were confident in handling temporomandibular disorder patients. Splint therapy was the preferred treatment modality for general dentists, whereas dentists with specialist training preferred occlusal rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION

The results of the current survey indicate that Indian dentists lack sufficient training in dental schools on all three sections and face difficulty diagnosing and treating TMDs.

Sensory characteristics and chronic facial pain conditions: Cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated patients with neuropathic, myofascial and other orofacial pain conditions according to the differences and similarities of the sensory profile, and the association between sensory findings and neuropathic or non-neuropathic conditions.

DESIGN

132 healthy controls were compared with 174 orofacial pain patients that were classified into three groups (neuropathic, masticatory myofascial and other orofacial pain condition) and evaluated with a systematized protocol of sensory testing. Data were analyzed with chi-quare and Bonferroni correction (categorical data), Student´s t test, oneway ANOVA, Tukey (quantitative features), Pearson´s coefficient for correlations and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Cold, olfactory and superficial pain thresholds were higher in the group of neuropathic facial pain compared with the other groups, and the highest vibratory thresholds were observed in the group of other orofacial pain conditions. Deep pain thresholds were statistically lower in the group with masticatory myofascial pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive sensory findings (eg. hyperalgesia) were more common in the group of patients with masticatory myofascial pain, supporting inflammatory systemic mechanisms, and negative sensory findings not restricted to the trigeminal nerve (eg. hypoesthesia, hyposmia) were more frequent in patients with neuropathic conditions. Non-classical neuropathic orofacial pains also showed sensory impairment from pain chronification and from the overlap with functional disorders.