Dependence of psychophysical threshold on rate of applied force to the upper first molar in humans

Passive Periodontal Sensation Threshold of Upper Molars in Patients with Myofascial Pain

Background and Objective:

The relationship between periodontal sensation and Myofascial Pain (MP) is not yet fully clarified. The aim of this study was to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the periodontal sensation threshold between subjects with MP and subjects with no Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).

Methods:

Participants have clinically assessed in accordance with the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders version 1.0 guidelines and assigned to the MP group (mean age 54.8 ± 14.8 years; 1 male and 11 females) or the control group (mean age: 63.9 ± 13.2 years; 1 male and 15 females). The Passive Periodontal Sensation Threshold (PPST) was evaluated using impulsive mechanical stimulation on the occlusal surface parallel to the tooth axis of the maxillary first molar, if present. The difference in the mean PPST between the MP group and the control group was evaluated using the Student t-test after checking for homoscedasticity.

Results:

The mean PPST value was 1050.1 ± 480.3 mN in the MP group and 712.3 ± 288.5 mN in the control group. A significant difference was observed between these mean PPST values (p = 0.045).

Conclusion:

There was a significant difference in PPST between the MP group and the control group. Although the etiology of the change of PPST is still unknown, the higher PPST value observed in MP patients suggests that future study on occlusal dysesthesia or occlusal sensation-related pathosis is warranted.