Orofacial Pain: A Guide for Oral Physicians

Orofacial pain is the presenting symptom of a broad spectrum of diseases. As a symptom, it may be due to disease of the orofacial structures, generalized musculoskeletal or rheumatic disease, peripheral or central nervous system disease, psychological abnormality; or the pain may be referred from other sources. Pain may also occur in the absence of detectable physical, imaging, or laboratory abnormalities. Some of these disorders are easily recognized and treated, whereas others defy classification and are unresponsive to present treatment methods. To effectively evaluate and treat patients, the clinician must take proper history, perform a detailed clinical assessment including a comprehensive head and neck and dental physical examination, neurologic testing, laboratory evaluation, and perhaps consultations with other health care providers. In addition, the clinician must develop a plan of treatment that is consistent with the standard of care set forth by current scientific literature and evidence. This book focuses to offer practical diagnostic criteria and to suggest guidelines for the effective management of patients suffering from Pain in Orofacial region.