Odontogenic pain of non-odontogenic origin: A review

Abstract

Pain in the orofacial region is the most common reason for patients to visit a dental clinic. Tooth and/or its supporting structures are often source of pain. Pain originating from pulp dentine complex and/or periodontal structures presents with variable clinical characteristics and can be accurately diagnosed and treated. However, clinician often encounters situation when odontogenic causes of pain are excluded and non odontogenic causes should be considered. These include myofascial pain syndromes, temporomandibular disorders, neuralgias, ENT diseases, tumors, neurovascular pain or psychiatric diseases. Establishing a correct diagnosis is of utmost importance to render appropriate treatment. Obtaining a detailed history from the patient including the quality, volume, duration, frequency and periodicity of pain helps in differentiating non odontogenic from ododntogenic causes. Aim of this review is to update the clinician’s knowledge of etiologies of pain, thus helping the clinician to establish differential diagnosis for orofacial pain.