This book provides up-to-date information on all aspects of orofacial pain biomarkers which
are of evolving importance. The first section includes explanation of the neurobiological
substrates underlying chronic orofacial pain and the potential role of biomarkers in diagnosis
prognosis and treatment. Differences and similarities between saliva and serum biomarkers for
pain are then explained and assessment methods and statistical analyses used in evaluating
biomarkers are considered. The main section of the book examines the contribution of clinical
studies to the field of biomarkers for orofacial pain and discusses biomarkers for masticatory
muscle pain temporomandibular joint pain neuropathic face pain and autonomic nervous system
involvement in trigeminal facial pain. The potential impacts of the immune system on orofacial
pain biomarkers are also discussed and the final section identifies future challenges and
suggests new directions in the field. This book provides up-to-date information on all aspects
of orofacial pain biomarkers. It opens by presenting background information on clinical
phenotypes and the neurobiological substrates underlying chronic orofacial pain and by
explaining the potential role of biomarkers in the diagnosis prognostic evaluation and
treatment of orofacial pain. The main section of the book examines the contribution of human
and animal studies to the field of biomarkers for orofacial pain and discusses biomarkers for
masticatory muscle pain temporomandibular joint pain neuropathic face pain and autonomic
nervous system involvement in trigeminal facial pain. The potential impacts of the immune
system on orofacial pain biomarkers and candidate gene phenotypes with possible links to
chronic orofacial pain conditions are also addressed and differences and similarities between
saliva and serum biomarkers for pain are explained as well. The final section covers
research-related issues in assessment methods and statistical analyses used in evaluating
biomarkers identifies future challenges and suggests new directions in the field.
