Biopsychosocial Aspects of Atypical Odontalgia

A Ciaramella,L Lonia,M Paroli,M Bosco,P Poli

doi:10.1155/2013/413515

A Ciaramella, L Lonia + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/413515

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Abstract

Background. A few studies have found somatosensory abnormalities in atypical odontalgia (AO) patients. The aim of the study is to explore the presence of specific abnormalities in facial pain patients that can be considered as psychophysical factors predisposing to AO. Materials and Methods. The AO subjects (n = 18) have been compared to pain-free (n = 14), trigeminal neuralgia (n = 16), migraine (n = 17), and temporomandibular disorder (n = 14). The neurometer current perception threshold (CPT) was used to investigate somatosensory perception. Structured clinical interviews based on the DSM-IV axis I and DSM III-R axis II criteria for psychiatric disorders and self-assessment questionnaires were used to evaluate psychopathology and aggressive behavior among subjects. Results. Subjects with AO showed a lower Aβ, Aδ, and C trigeminal fiber pain perception threshold when compared to a pain-free control group. Resentment was determined to be inversely related to Aβ (rho: 0.62, P < 0.05), Aδ (rho: 0.53, P < 0.05) and C fibers (rho: 0.54, P < 0.05), and depression was inversely related with C fiber (rho: 0.52, P < 0.05) perception threshold only in AO subjects. Conclusion. High levels of depression and resentment can be considered predictive psychophysical factors for the development of AO after dental extraction.

Highlights

Atypical Odontalgia (AO) is a persistent pain condition located in the teeth and jaws
The purpose of this study is to explore the presence of specific abnormalities in facial pain patients that can be considered as psychophysical factors predisposing to atypical odontalgia (AO)
We identified a strong association between the presence of current major depressive episode (CMDE) and a low current perception threshold (CPT) of aβ and C fibers in the entire sample; a strong association was found between avoidant personality disorders and a decrease in CPT, but this association was only true for the aβ fibers (Table 9)

Summary

Introduction

Atypical Odontalgia (AO) is a persistent pain condition located in the teeth and jaws. It has been described as a persistent neuropathic pain that may be initiated after the deafferentiation of trigeminal nerve fibers following a root canal treatment, an apicoectomy, or a tooth extraction, or it may be of idiopathic origin [1]. The aim of the study is to explore the presence of specific abnormalities in facial pain patients that can be considered as psychophysical factors predisposing to AO. Subjects with AO showed a lower Aβ, Aδ, and C trigeminal fiber pain perception threshold when compared to a pain-free control group. High levels of depression and resentment can be considered predictive psychophysical factors for the development of AO after dental extraction

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