Diagnosis and Management of Non-Dental Orofacial Pain

From Volume 34, Issue 3, April 2007 | Pages 134-139

Authors

Joanna M Zakrzewska

MD, FDS RCS, FFD RCSI, FFP MRCA, FHEA

Professor of Pain in Relation to Oral Medicine, Clinical and Diagnostic Oral Sciences Dental Institute, Barts and the London Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, Turner Street, London E1 2AD, UK

Articles by Joanna M Zakrzewska

Abstract

Careful history-taking improves diagnosis of non-dental orofacial pain, a not uncommon group of conditions. Accurate diagnosis of conditions such as chronic idiopathic facial pain, temporomandibular disorders, burning mouth syndrome and trigeminal neuralgia is essential if inappropriate dental treatment is to be avoided. There are few investigations to help in the diagnostic process and many of these patients have other forms of chronic pain. All the conditions are best treated using a holistic approach. Drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants, are often effective and surgery can be highly successfully in trigeminal neuralgia. Patient education is paramount.

Article

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Dental Update and reading some of our resources. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Up to 2 free articles per month
  • New content available