Pain from Dental Implant Placement, Inflammatory Pulpitis Pain, and Neuropathic Pain Present Different Somatosensory Profiles

Author(s)

Porporatti, Andre Luis ; Bonjardim, Leonardo Rigoldi ; Stuginski-Barbosa, Juliana ; Bonfante, Estevam Augusto ; Costa, Yuri Martins ; Rodrigues Conti, Paulo Cesar

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ORAL & FACIAL PAIN AND HEADACHE; v. 31, n. 1, p. 19-29, WIN 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Aims: To address the two following questions: (1) What kind of somatosensory abnormalities may be characterized in patients receiving dental implants (IMP), in ongoing inflammatory dental pulpitis (IP) patients, and in neuropathic pain (atypical odontalgia {[}AO]) patients? and (2) What sort of sensory and neural changes may result from dental implant placement surgery and pulpectomy? Methods: A total of 60 subjects were divided into three groups: the IMP (n = 20), IP (n = 20), and AO groups (n = 20). Quantitative sensory testing (QST) was performed preoperatively (baseline) for all three groups and postoperatively at 1 month and 3 months after dental implant placement or pulpectomy (in the IMP group and IP group, respectively). Statistical analyses were completed with one-way and two-way analysis of variance and z score transformations (a = 5%). Results: The main findings of this study indicated that: (1) Elevations in mechanical detection threshold (MDT) and in current perception threshold (CPT) related to C-fiber activation, indicating a loss of function, were found at baseline in IP patients; (2) Somatosensory abnormalities such as allodynia, reduced MDT and mechanical pain threshold (MPT), and impaired pain modulation were found in AO patients; (3) No somatosensory alterations after implant placement were found in the IMP group; and (4) Somatosensory alterations in the form of reduction in the CPT related to C-fiber activation were reported 3 months after pulpectomy in the IP group. Conclusion: This study showed that somatosensory abnormalities were evident in AO and IP patients, and somatosensory alterations were seen in IP patients even 3 months after pulpectomy. However, no somatosensory alterations were seen after implant placement. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/15496-1 - Comparative Evaluation of Somatosensory Mechanisms Involved in Genesis of Somatic, Visceral and Neuropathic Orofacial Pain.
• Grantee: André Luís Porporatti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate