Mechanisms of Orofacial Pain and Sex Differences

Orofacial pain sufferers have been diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorders, neuralgias, migraine, trauma, cancer, as well as, various neurological/muscle disorders. Recent work determining the mechanism for these disorders has had some success, for example recent treatment of migraine using antibodies against CGRP or its receptor shows promise. Although knowledge of orofacial pain has led to treatment most conditions are poorly understood and treatment can be improved. Many orofacial pain conditions are reported by women more often than men and treatment targeting this disparity is lacking. Mechanisms understanding orofacial pain and sex differences in such pain are the current focus of this collection of articles.

In this Research Topic we invite papers critically evaluating orofacial pain problems with emphasis on its mechanisms and sex differences. We welcome human and animals studies, methods and mechanistic studies, as well as, papers comparing orofacial pain to pain in other parts of the body. In bringing together expertise in orofacial pain and focusing efforts towards understanding various orofacial pain conditions, as well as, the sex disparity observed in these patients we expect to advance the field and improve treatment in the future.