Temporomandibular disorders. Part 3: pain and pharmacological therapy

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) comprise a variety of diagnoses with multifactorial aetiologies. The treatment of these conditions is often multimodal, reflecting the complex nature of their pathogenesis. Pharmacology has long been used for the control of inflammation and pain in various acute and chronic conditions. Although not the mainstay of treatment in TMD, pharmacology frequently plays a supportive role, and numerous drugs are available that act on several potential targets. This article, the third in a series of six, summarizes the pathogenesis of pain relevant to TMD, before reviewing the current medications available, their efficacy and their potential indications. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Understanding the potential medications available can help clinicians select an appropriate drug to complement other treatment for TMD.