Several Recent Studies Show “HYPERALGESIA” can be induced by experimental occlusal interference.

The current thinking of many “Orofacial Pain Specialists” is that a great deal of the pain TMJ patients suffer is secondary to psychological issues. While pschological issues are undoubtably important the basic science explains the true orgins of these issues. These are hard scientific articles showing how occlusal interences and extended jaw opening can create problems and explains the mechanisms.

In addition a new article in the Journal of Orofacial Pain shows that prolonged jaw Opening can promote Nociception and enhanced Cytoline expression. Many patients complain TMJ problems started after wisdom tooth extraction and this article could explain the etiology of this type pf injury.

Neuroreport. 2016 Mar 2;27(4):277-83. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000000533.
Association of occlusal interference-induced masseter muscle hyperalgesia and P2X3 receptors in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis and midbrain periaqueductal gray.

Zhonghua Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2016 Mar 9;51(3):176-81. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1002-0098.2016.03.010.
[Trigeminal purinergic P2X4 receptor involved in experimental occlusal interference-induced hyperalgesia in rat masseter muscle].

J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2016 Winter;30(1):51-60. doi: 10.11607/ofph.1459.
Upregulation of the Purinergic Receptor Subtype P2X3 in the Trigeminal Ganglion Is Involved in Orofacial Pain Induced by Occlusal Interference in Rats.

Eur J Pain. 2016 Apr;20(4):552-63. doi: 10.1002/ejp.758. Epub 2015 Jul 22.
Role of TRPV1 and ASIC3 channels in experimental occlusal interference-induced hyperalgesia in rat masseter muscle.