Dental clinics of North America
-
Dent. Clin. North Am. · Apr 2013
ReviewPain and temporomandibular disorders: a pharmaco-gender dilemma.
Gender is the biggest risk factor in the development of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and orofacial pain. Gender differences in pain thresholds, temporal summation, pain expectations, and somatic awareness exist in patients with chronic TMD or orofacial pain. ⋯ Future research will elucidate the sex effects on factors that protect against developing pain or prevent debilitating pain. Gender-based treatments for TMD and orofacial pain treatment will evolve from the translational research stimulated by this knowledge.