Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a heterogeneous collection of disorders characterized by orofacial pain and/or masticatory dysfunction. Parafunctional behaviors, especially clenching and grinding, are presumed to be important initiating and perpetuating factors in TMD (Glaros & Glass, 1993). Recent studies have showed that low-level parafunctional activity in otherwise normal individuals increases pain and can produce the same symptoms of TMD reported by clinic patients. However, there is very little direct evidence that TMD patients engage in more parafunctional activities than others or that the parafunctional activities that they may engage in are related to pain.
The specific aims of this project are therefore to test the hypotheses that (1) TMD patients engage in higher rates of parafunctional activities than a comparable non-TMD sample, and (2) parafunctional activities produce and/or increase pain. Both in vivo and laboratory-based studies will be conducted to test the hypotheses. One of the proposed studies will utilize a methodologically sophisticated, ecologically valid self-report technique known as ecological momentary assessment (EMA). EMA data are a sample of the participant's behavior, emotional state, or physiological states in the real world, and these data can be examined for co-variation among the variables in time. The long-term objectives of this research are: (1) to better describe and characterize some basic, essential differences among TMD and non-TMD subjects; (2) to develop an etiological theory of TMD which adequately accounts for the observed differences; and (3) to develop effective treatment programs for TMD derived from our improved understanding of this disorder.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DE013563-02
Application #
6379977
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RPHB-3 (01))
Program Officer
Bryant, Patricia S
Project Start
2000-09-15
Project End
2003-06-30
Budget Start
2001-07-01
Budget End
2002-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$102,028
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Missouri Kansas City
Department
Dentistry
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
800772162
City
Kansas City
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
64110
Glaros, A G; Marszalek, J M; Williams, K B (2016) Longitudinal Multilevel Modeling of Facial Pain, Muscle Tension, and Stress. J Dent Res 95:416-22
Glaros, Alan G; Williams, Karen; Lausten, Leonard (2008) Diurnal variation in pain reports in temporomandibular disorder patients and control subjects. J Orofac Pain 22:115-21
Glaros, Alan G; Kim-Weroha, Nellie; Lausten, Leonard et al. (2007) Comparison of habit reversal and a behaviorally-modified dental treatment for temporomandibular disorders: a pilot investigation. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 32:149-54
Glaros, Alan G; Williams, Karen; Lausten, Leonard (2005) The role of parafunctions, emotions and stress in predicting facial pain. J Am Dent Assoc 136:451-8
Glaros, Alan G; Lumley, Mark A (2005) Alexithymia and pain in temporomandibular disorder. J Psychosom Res 59:85-8
Lausten, Leonard L; Glaros, Alan G; Williams, Karen (2004) Inter-examiner reliability of physical assessment methods for assessing temporomandibular disorders. Gen Dent 52:509-13
Glaros, Alan G; Burton, Eric (2004) Parafunctional clenching, pain, and effort in temporomandibular disorders. J Behav Med 27:91-100
Roark, A L; Glaros, A G; O'Mahony, A M (2003) Effects of interocclusal appliances on EMG activity during parafunctional tooth contact. J Oral Rehabil 30:573-7