Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of disorders related to
pain and dysfunction that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the
masticatory system. TMD patients often suffer from orofacial pain and have symptoms
that are less specific, including ear pain and ear fullness, tinnitus, dizziness, neck pain,
and headache. Thus, individuals with TMD and orofacial pain deserve special
attention, since neurological events such as headache, tinnitus, and muscle pain, which
are present in these conditions, can also be found in cases of COVID-19. In addition,
mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are more common in patients
with TMD than in the general population. Consequently, individuals with
psychological disabilities, such as TMD patients, may have their pain perpetuated as a
result. COVID-19 is not only affecting physical health — it has brought direct and
indirect psychological and social consequences that can influence mental health both
during the pandemic and in the future. Therefore, it is believed that psychological
factors in connection with the pandemic may lead to a great risk of developing,
worsening, and prolonging TMD, since these factors can lead to autonomic responses
that result in sleep disorders. This chapter will address the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic on the mental health of TMD patients, focusing on brain changes involving
the trigeminal pathway and maladaptive changes in the default mode network (DMN).
Keywords: Anxiety, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Default mode network,
Depression, Headache, Mental health, Post-traumatic stress disorder,
Psychological factors, Sleep bruxism, Spinal trigeminal nucleus,
Temporomandibular joint disorders, Tinnitus, TMD pain, Trigeminal system.