Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders

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Study and treatment of orofacial pain

The Brazilian Society for the Study of Pain estimates that chronic orofacial pain – associated with tissues of the head, face, neck, and structures of the oral cavity – affects up to 8% of the population in Brazil. To study these effects, in addition to similar disorders, Professor Márcio Lima Grossi formed and currently leads the Research Nucleus on Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders.

Registered with the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) since the year 2000, the Nucleus was a pioneer in Brazil in the study of orofacial pain. The current focus is related to psychosocial and socioeconomic factors and sleep disorders.

Doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and social workers work together to systematically treat the cases, with very successful performances. In 2012, an internal evaluation of the effectiveness of clinical treatment indicated 88% patient satisfaction. The researchers attribute the result to the multidisciplinary attention.

In addition to the scientific cooperation with the School of Social Work of PUCRS and the General Hospital of Porto Alegre, the Nucleus published an article on a new model of temporary snoring mouthpiece in partnership with the University of Toronto (Canada). Designed with simpler material than conventional silicone, the oral device has a production cost that is dozens of times cheaper than normal. Although it has a short functional life, it is more comfortable. The studies will help to improve the device.

In a study by the Nucleus that is underway in the municipality of Maringá in the State of Paraná, the prevalence of orofacial pain was evaluated in almost 2,000 individuals. The results indicate that 17.8% of the population has high-intensity pain and that 5.1% have moderate to severe limitations due to the problem. In 18.4% of the studied individuals, the pain intensity is low and does not limit the patient. However, this may increase the percentage of patients that need some type of treatment to 36.2%. The results are part of the doctoral thesis of Patrícia Saram Progiante.