title: Central mechanisms of orofacial pain.
abstract: The orofacial pain clinician must understand the difference between peripheral and central mechanisms of pain. Particularly, one has to understand the process of central sensitization as it relates to the various orofacial pain conditions to understand orofacial pain. Understanding leads to more effective treatment.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Orofacial Pain Program, UCLA School of Dentistry, 13-089C CHS, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668, USA. rmerrill@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Merrill
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / Q000502:physiology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*