An orofacial pain, in simple terms, includes any pain that occurs in the mouth, chin, face, etc. Dentists are familiar with dental caries and periodontal disease, toothache and gum pain. However, orofacial pain has a very different origin than the common one.
The patient affected by orofacial pain usually goes to a clinic, just like Dolor orofacial for treatment of an ordinary toothache, however, when the dentist makes the diagnosis, they might find that the patient does not have dental lesions at all.
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Symptoms present in patients affected with orofacial pain
The affected person complains of several pain symptoms, mainly in the mouth, tongue, joints and face muscles, in these circumstances it is difficult to understand the cause of such pain.
As you can see, orofacial pain consists in a group of painful sensations concentrated around the face and oral cavity. In the general population, the incidence of cases does not exceed 10%.
Such pain phenomena have many variants and causes, which greatly complicates the diagnosis.
Causes
The most common causes of orofacial pain can be:
– Dental problems (pulpitis, periodontitis, stomatitis).
– Oncology (including oral cancer)
– Trigeminal neuralgia
– Glossopharyngeal nerve
– Migraine
– Sinusitis.
– Temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Clinical picture to be evaluated in patients with orofacial pain
The clinical picture of orofacial pain is described taking into account the classification proposed by the International Association for the Study of Pain, abbreviated IASP – International Association for the Study of Pain:
1. Neuropathic (arising in the context of injuries, infectious lesions of viral etiology, etc.): differing in dynamic development, can be expressed in a subjective sensation of burning, itching, backache, tingling, etc.
2. Musculoskeletal pain – accompanied by a characteristic crunching (crepitus) – developed as a result of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions of the oral cavity.
Pains are most often unilateral and differ in intensity, depend on physical and chemical stimuli, may intensify at night and radiate in the projection of the trigeminal nerve.
The relationship between clinical symptoms and pathophysiological mechanisms is not always easily explained, so the diagnosis is definitely often difficult and complex. For those cases, we always recommend visiting your local dentist. In the long run, it’s the best for you and your health!
Treatment
Treatment for orofacial pain is based on the following principles:
– Getting rid of the source of pain by influencing its peripheral components: relief of the inflammatory process, elimination of swelling (used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, non-narcotic analgesics, B vitamins);
– Blocking of pain impulses by local and systemic administration of anesthetics, use of anticonvulsants, physiotherapy methods and others.
– Working with the psychological component of pain, the use of antidepressants, antipsychotics and other psychotropic drugs could help, however, never self-medicate yourself, it could put your health at risk. Make sure to ask your dentist next time you see them in order to be sure!
Conclusion
Orofacial pain is a new field of dentistry that has rapidly spread within the field since the second half of the 90s, centered on the American Academy of Orofacial Pain (AAOP). Even if we’re some years ahead of time compared to that decade, orofacial pain it’s still considered to be in its early stage of research and development.
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