Orofacial Pain

Head and facial pain constitutes up to 35% of the all pain population.. The head and face are subjected to chronic persistent or recurring pains more often than any other portion of the body. Thus dentists can have a major role in the diagnosis, treatment and management of facial pain. The most frequent source of orofacial pain is dental disease and it has been estimated that toothache is a major health problem. Many conditions manifest as only facial pain with no other associated signs and symptoms. Fortunately the features of pain which each condition produces are usually different thus a diagnosis can be made if a history is complete and detailed. The understanding of pain to its fullest extent requires a well aware clinician, who is cognizant of physiology, neuro-anatomy, psychology and pharmacology. The relief of pain should be the objective of every phase of the healing art. It is that one symptom which brings the most reluctant patient to our clinic. Success usually depends on relieving the pain and administering treatment with the least amount of trauma.