Orofacial tissues are richly innervated by nociceptive primary afferents (or nociceptors). Nociceptors transmit pain signals into brain in response to harmful stimuli. Nociceptors also intricately regulate homeostasis of innervated tissues by controlling host responses. Under injury or infection, dysfunctional nociceptors lead to the development of pathological chronic pain and abnormal destructive responses of affected tissues. Dr. Chung’s unique R35 program addresses dual roles of trigeminal nociceptors in two fundamental areas in oral health. Dr. Chung is a dentist scientist, who has devoted his career to craniofacial neuroscience research focused on trigeminal nociceptors. He will continue his ongoing craniofacial pain studies by testing the hypothesis that long-term silencing of nociceptive afferents is analgesic, and that the effects are sufficient to reverse maladaptive neuroplastic changes of brain regions associated with chronic pain. Moreover, Dr. Chung is revisiting his long-term interest in tooth-related neurobiology, and will investigate the neuroimmune and neuroskeletal regulatory mechanisms of alveolar bone destruction and remodeling. He hypothesizes that nociceptive afferents regulate periodontal host responses under periodontal infection or orthodontic force to control pathophysiological remodeling of alveolar bone. Dr. Chung’s research in these areas is aimed at elucidating the mechanisms of chronic pain and alveolar bone remodeling, and their intersection with trigeminal nociceptors. The anticipated outcomes will likely have significant impact, not only in elucidating basic mechanisms but also in translational areas including development of novel methods to control chronic pain and alveolar bone remodeling by regulating nociceptive afferents or nociceptor-enriched molecules.

The goal of this project is to determine the roles of trigeminal nociceptive afferents to chronic pain and alveolar bone remodeling. Positive outcomes will help to develop non-opioidergic treatment for chronic pain and to develop novel methods for better treating bone loss in periodontitis and for accelerated painless tooth movement in orthodontic treatment.