Chapter 39 Atypical facial pain and burning mouth syndrome

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews that atypical facial pain (AFP) and burning mouth syndrome (BMS) are facial pain conditions. Their etiology and pathophysiology of the facial pain complaints remain unknown although there is some preliminary evidence of disturbances in the peripheral and/or central nociceptive pathways and some researchers/clinicians consider AFP and BMS as putative neuropathic pain conditions. The chapter discusses that systematic and controlled studies are needed to test this hypothesis and requires interdisciplinary research collaboration to elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms. It explores that causal treatment of AFP and BMS is not possible at the moment, and a conservative strategy with noninvasive and reversible approaches, including symptom relief with the use of pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral methods must be advocated until more specific targets have been identified. Patients with AFP or BMS are probably managed best in pain clinics, specialist centers, or university settings.