Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on patients with chronic temporomandibular joint disorders: A case series

Chronic orofacial pain caused by temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is a challenge for clinicians for the presence of associated psychological symptoms and central sensitization mechanisms. Modulation of brain activity using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) seems to be effective in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes for its effect on neuroplastic maladaptive changes defined as central sensitization. Hereby, we present three cases of chronic orofacial pain by temporomandibular disorders resistant to any other medical treatments. After monitoring their pain perception for ten days, we applied tDCS over their primary motor cortex for five days with encouraging effects on pain perception, psychological symptoms and jaw function.