What can human experimental pain models teach us about clinical TMD?

Abstract

Human experimental pain (HEP) models applied to the orofacial area have been widely used over the last decades and several reviews are available on the interaction between HEP and jaw-motor function. In this selective review some of the possibilities and limitations with HEP models are discussed based on the current experience with HEP models. For example, it is appropriate to consider how closely HEP models may mimic the clinical phenomenon, i.e., do they represent a reasonable “proxy” of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and what can HEP models offer for the understanding of jaw-motor function in relation to painful TMD conditions. Finally, are there any clinical implications of the knowledge derived from HEP studies? This present review suggests that HEP models, indeed, are valuable and can provide clinically relevant information by serving as a bridge between basic animal experiments and studies in pain populations; however, there are several caveats to this suggestion which needs to be acknowledged.