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Preclinical perspectives on disorders of the temporomandibular joint: Tracing the past, navigating the present, and shaping the future

  • John K. Neubert
  • , Kyle Allen
  • , Tamara Alliston
  • , Alejandro J. Almarza
  • , Kyriacos A. Athanasiou
  • , Basak Donertas-Ayaz
  • , Bruna Balbino de Paula
  • , Roxanne Bavarian
  • , Nidhi Bhutani
  • , Brian E. Cairns
  • , Robert M. Caudle
  • , Yang Chai
  • , Jian Fu Chen
  • , Yong Chen
  • , Glenn T. Clark
  • , Yenisel Cruz-Almeida
  • , Alexandre F. DaSilva
  • , Paul L. Durham
  • , Airam Vivanco Estela
  • , Millie Embree
  • Roger Fillingim, Fernando Guastaldi, Shruti Handa, Sunil D. Kapila, David Keith, Keith L. Kirkwood, Phillip Kramer, Katherine T. Martucci, Niall P. Murphy, Andrea G. Nackley, Richard Ohrbach, Benedikt Sagl, Shad B. Smith, Feng Tao, Beth Winkelstein, Hai Yao, Simon Young, Michael S. Gold
  • Texas A&M University
  • University of Florida
  • University of California at San Francisco
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of California at Irvine
  • Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Stanford University
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of Southern California
  • Duke University
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • Missouri State University
  • Columbia University
  • University of California at Los Angeles
  • Medical University of Vienna
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Clemson University
  • University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are complex conditions characterized by orofacial pain and dysfunction, affecting a significant portion of the population. TMDs may involve joint and/or muscle pain, dysfunction (e.g., noise, limited or altered jaw movements), or both, leading to a marked decrease in quality of life. Patients often experience functional limitations that hinder eating, speaking, and daily activities. Additionally, TMDs are frequently associated with psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, which further impacts overall well-being. Despite the profound individual and societal impact of TMDs, effective therapies remain elusive, partly due to deficiencies in translational research. A primary limitation in the TMD field is the scarcity of animal models that accurately replicate disease features in humans. This may ultimately be due to species differences, but likely also reflects the etiological and symptomatic heterogeneities of TMDs, as there are over 30 different conditions in this umbrella term. Both factors pose a significant challenge in developing and using animal models for TMD research. This review highlights preclinical TMD research to enhance clinical care, focusing on anatomy/physiology, pain and behavior models, functional and tissue modeling, biopsychosocial factors, and technological considerations. The "TMD Research Community" collaborated to produce this review, with the Discussion offering a proposal for a path forward.

Original languageEnglish
Article number105560
JournalJournal of Pain
Volume36
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2025

Keywords

  • Biomechanics
  • Biopsychosocial model
  • Orofacial pain
  • Preclinical models
  • Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)

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