Clinical features and differential diagnosis of orofacial pain

Abstract

According to the literature, the most common orofacial pains whose origin are not in the structures of the stomatognathic system, but which are encountered in the offices of dentists are tension pain, trigeminal neuralgia and migraine. Therefore, our main task is to differentiate between facial pain of dental origin, which are in our competence to manage them and other painful orofacial pathologies, which require the cooperation of several specialists. Facial pain, whether muscular or joint origin, has the qualities of a deep somatic pain, always occurs after a recent event (trauma, dental fracture, dental treatment, occlusal changes), is accompanied by disruption of functions (mastication, phonation) and it often causes limited mandibular movements. The presence of muscular, articular, vascular and neurological structures in a restricted anatomical territory often makes difficult to establish the correct diagnosis, that’s why the interdisciplinary approach is inevitable and recommended.