Department of Orthodontics
Associate Professor and Division Head, Division of Facial Pain
Parker E. Mahan Facial Pain Endowed Professor
Research Areas
- Clinical and Basic Science
Main Interests
- Motor control mechanisms for jaw muscles
- Jaw and trigeminofacial reflexes
- Research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders and other orofacial pain conditions
- Nerve-muscle interactions during jaw muscle development
- Biological basis for masticatory muscle pain
Biographical Information
Dr. Widmer received his D.D.S. from Emory University in 1981 and an M.S. degree in Oral Sciences from SUNY/Buffalo in 1983. He was recruited to Emory University School of Dentistry as an Assistant Professor in 1983 and was appointed Director of the Facial Pain Clinic in 1984 until the closure of Emory University School of Dentistry in 1991. Dr. Widmer subsequently accepted a position at the University of Florida College of Dentistry where he has continued his NIH funded research, teaching and patient care. Dr. Widmer’s clinical practice includes differential diagnosis of various facial pain conditions with a limited management focus primarily on masticatory musculoskeletal disorders. His research interests include masticatory muscle motor control mechanisms, the biological basis of masticatory muscle pain and mechanisms of masticatory muscle injury and repair.