Neurological and dental aspects of atypical facial pain

Abstract

Abstract Background: Orofacial pain is related with neurogenic, vascular, collagenous and dental problems. As a syndrome, this type of pain is classified under 4 major categories: temporomandibular joint diseases, atypical facial pain (AFP), atypical odontalgia and burning mouth syndrome. Atypical facial pain, first described by Frazier and Russel, is a chronic pain syndrome on the trigeminal nerve trajectory. Objective: In this study, 18 cases of AFP are presented. Pain stimulating factors, localization, duration, severity, accompanying symptoms, orodental findings, treatment and response are evaluated. Results: A total of 18 cases, 11 female and 7 male were evaluated. Mean age was 41.3 years; duration of pain 1–35 years; frequency: everyday in 15 cases (83.3%); 3–4 times per week in 2 cases; and once a month in one case; localization: unilateral in 17 cases, bilateral in one case; severity: between 5 and 9 according to VAS in all cases (mean: 6.9). Neurologic, orodental and radiological examiantions rev...