From Seventh Scientific Meeting of The TMJ Association, Genetic, Epigenetic, and Mechanistic Studies of Temporomandibular Disorders and Overlapping Pain Conditions

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) tends to coexist with other chronic pain conditions in affected individuals and is characterized by a report of pain greater than expected based on the results of a standard physical eva-luation. The pathophysiology of this condition is largely unknown, the scientific field lacks biological markers for accurate diagnosis, and conventional therapeutics have limited effectiveness. Growing evidence suggests that chronic pain conditions are associated with both physical and psychological triggers, which initiate pain amplifica-tion and psychological distress; thus, susceptibility is dic-tated by complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors [1]. Materials and methods The large human study named OPPERA, Orofacial Pai