Understanding Neuropathic Pain & Headaches: How They Affect Dentistry and TMD
Department
Orthodontics
Document Type
Lecture
Conference Title
Island Dental Colloquium
Organization
University of California, San Francisco & University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Location
Maui, HI
Conference Dates
February 8-12, 2016
Date of Presentation
2-8-2015
Abstract
More than just dental and TMD-related conditions can cause pain in the jaw. Neuropathic pain (pain caused by damage or dysfunction of the nerves themselves) can occur following routine dental procedures, can be a result of a patient’s genetics, can occur spontaneously or can present in an emergency patient complaining of dental pain. Likewise, many headaches look like TMDs, and some TMDs are actually a manifestation of an undiagnosed headache. Not recognizing them as such can result in what feels like a frustratingly difficult TMD. Dentists who can recognize these occurrences can refer their patients effectively to the right medical specialists.
You Will Learn
- How to recognize neuropathic conditions, particularly those that look like dental pain
- How to avoid causing neuropathic pain and manage it when it occurs
- How to differentiate the more deceptive headaches from TMDs
Recommended Citation
Young, A. L.
(2015).
Understanding Neuropathic Pain & Headaches: How They Affect Dentistry and TMD.
Paper presented at Island Dental Colloquium in Maui, HI.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/dugoni-facpres/7