What is Orofacial Pain?

 

It is the neurological relationship of muscles, joints, bones, teeth, blood vessels, and other structures of the head and neck. The majority of structures have nerves which pass though the same area of the midbrain directly or indirectly. This means if you have a problem in one area, say the jaw joint (TMJ), you may have more frequent migraines or even ear or eye pain, or even a tooth ache. Referred pain can result from almost anywhere, and unless the source of the problem is addressed, it may be difficult to treat.

 

 

This is why some patients will keep going back to there dentist, complaining of a toothache, the dentist says the tooth is fine, and the patient gets the impression that the dentist thinks they are crazy. The worse case scenario is when the patient is referred for a root canal and eventually the tooth is removed and the tooth pain is still there.

 

Another scenario is ear pain and the ENT specialist can’t find a problem with the ears and sends the patient to their dentist. The dentist usually gives them a night guard which may relieve symptoms temporarily. Then, in other cases, patients may have all their teeth crowned to reposition their jaws, and three to five years later the pain may return.