About this Research Topic
Orofacial pain encompasses multiple pain conditions of musculoskeletal, neurovascular, nociplastic and neuropathic origin affecting the oral, head, face, and neck area. Due to pain nature and localization, it markedly impacts daily and social function, and additional significant psychological consequences. In fact, chronic orofacial pain is often accompanied by a variety of comorbidities, including depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. It is widely recognized that chronic orofacial pain treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach including physical therapy, education, behavioral/psychological therapy and pharmacotherapy.
Regarding the latter, most evidence comes from studies and clinical knowledge of other pain conditions, especially those involving spinal nerves. However, there is a growing body of evidence that pain processing in the trigeminal system has many peculiarities, as well as its treatment. Examples include observations that (a) the anticonvulsant carbamazepine is highly effective in the management of trigeminal neuralgia pain, but not for other neuropathic pain conditions; (b) triptan drugs and anti-CGRP drugs (antibodies, receptor antagonists) are useful for the treatment of migraine but no other pain disorder. Moreover, trigeminal neuralgia and migraine, as most chronic orofacial pain conditions have a higher female prevalence, suggesting that sex differences may have a significant effect on trigeminal pain development and chronification.
This Research Topic will consider any article related to advances in the pharmacological treatment of chronic orofacial pain, especially those that highlight differences and particularities of this system that require attention and may improve treatment outcomes. We welcome the submission of original research studies, clinical studies, as well as review or opinion articles that may contribute to advances in the treatment of chronic orofacial pain.
Possibilities include, but are not limited to:
1) New insights about currently used medication from human studies or animal models
2) Mechanistic differences of chronic orofacial pain that impact treatment
3) Impact of sex differences on chronic orofacial pain prevalence and treatment
4) New methods for the study of chronic orofacial pain
5) Reviews comparing the efficacy and safety of approved medications or procedures
6) Bench or animal studies of potential novel therapeutic targets
Regarding the latter, most evidence comes from studies and clinical knowledge of other pain conditions, especially those involving spinal nerves. However, there is a growing body of evidence that pain processing in the trigeminal system has many peculiarities, as well as its treatment. Examples include observations that (a) the anticonvulsant carbamazepine is highly effective in the management of trigeminal neuralgia pain, but not for other neuropathic pain conditions; (b) triptan drugs and anti-CGRP drugs (antibodies, receptor antagonists) are useful for the treatment of migraine but no other pain disorder. Moreover, trigeminal neuralgia and migraine, as most chronic orofacial pain conditions have a higher female prevalence, suggesting that sex differences may have a significant effect on trigeminal pain development and chronification.
This Research Topic will consider any article related to advances in the pharmacological treatment of chronic orofacial pain, especially those that highlight differences and particularities of this system that require attention and may improve treatment outcomes. We welcome the submission of original research studies, clinical studies, as well as review or opinion articles that may contribute to advances in the treatment of chronic orofacial pain.
Possibilities include, but are not limited to:
1) New insights about currently used medication from human studies or animal models
2) Mechanistic differences of chronic orofacial pain that impact treatment
3) Impact of sex differences on chronic orofacial pain prevalence and treatment
4) New methods for the study of chronic orofacial pain
5) Reviews comparing the efficacy and safety of approved medications or procedures
6) Bench or animal studies of potential novel therapeutic targets
Keywords: trigeminal nerve, trigeminal neuralgia, Chronic Orofacial Pain, Pharmacological Treatment, Carbamazepine, Orofacial Pain Mechanisms.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
