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Examining Laterality in Masticatory Myofascial Pain
Rafael Benoliel1, Yaron Haviv2, Shai Levi3,4
1Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation
|June 6, 2026
Summary
Unilateral masticatory myofascial pain (MMP) is linked to awakening with pain, nausea, and primary pain. Bilateral and unilateral MMP patients share similar demographics but differ clinically.
Area of Science:
- Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Clinical Cohort Studies
Background:
- Masticatory myofascial pain (MMP) is a common condition affecting the muscles of mastication.
- Understanding the differences between unilateral and bilateral presentations is crucial for effective diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and differentiate unilateral and bilateral masticatory myofascial pain (MMP) within a clinical patient cohort.
- To identify clinical features associated with pain laterality in MMP.
Main Methods:
- Patients meeting Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) for MMP were recruited over two years.
- Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed using Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis H, and Fisher's Exact tests.
- Binary logistic regression was employed to identify predictors of pain laterality.
Main Results:
- Muscle tenderness was observed both ipsilaterally and bilaterally in both unilateral and bilateral MMP groups.
- Unilateral MMP showed significant associations with pain-related awakening (p=0.03), nausea (p=0.01), and primary pain (p=0.01).
- Demographic characteristics were similar between patients with unilateral and bilateral MMP.
Conclusions:
- Unilateral and bilateral MMP exhibit distinct clinical characteristics.
- Unilateral pain is significantly associated with pain-related awakening, primary pain, and nausea.
- Further research in larger cohorts is needed to explore these differences and the potential link to headaches.
