Understanding how pain signals affect tooth and jaw health

Trigeminal nociceptors: Neural intersection of chronic pain and alveolar bone remodeling

NIH-funded research University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10876435

This study, led by Dr. Chung, is looking at how pain-sensing nerves in your mouth affect chronic pain and the health of your jawbone, with the hope that by reducing these pain signals, it can help ease your pain and improve your jawbone health during dental problems.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10876435 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of pain-sensing nerves in the mouth and their impact on chronic pain and the health of jawbone. The principal investigator, Dr. Chung, aims to understand how these nerves can both signal pain and help regulate the body's response to injury or infection. By silencing these pain signals over time, the research seeks to determine if it can alleviate chronic pain and reverse harmful changes in the brain associated with it. Additionally, the study will explore how these nerves influence the remodeling of the jawbone during dental issues like infections or orthodontic treatments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from chronic orofacial pain and those with periodontal disease.

Not a fit: Patients without chronic pain or dental issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for chronic pain and improved dental health.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of nociceptors in pain management, suggesting potential for success in this area.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.