Abstract
We compared mechanical pain thresholds in various orofacial areas. Twelve subjects (6 males, 6 females) aged 28 to 64 years participated in this study. They were seated in a supine position on a dental chair during measurement. The pain thresholds were measured at 38 sites in oral region, 7 sites in facial region, and 4 sites in the hand using an electronic von Frey instrument. The subjects were instructed to lift their left hands when they started to feel pain. The pain thresholds as the subjective sensation intensity were calculated on the basis of the Weber-Fechner law. The threshold values in 4 areas were as follows; red margin of the lip < oral mucosa < facial skin < skin of the hand (Bonferroni, p<0.05) and those in 9 oral areas were; frenum ≈ floor of mouth < red margin of the lip ≈ free gingiva ≈ tongue < lip mucosa < hard palate ≈ attached gingiva < Kiesow zone (Bonferroni, p<0.05). It is suggested that the mechanical pain thresholds in orofacial areas might be influenced by the density of free nerve endings,the degree of keratinization, and tissue thickness.
