Facial Pain
Primary Causes of Pain[edit | edit source]
- Dentine sensitivity
- pulpitis
- periapical periodontitis
- abscess
- neuralgias
Neuralgias[edit | edit source]
- Trigeminal neuralgia
Sharp stabbing episodic electric shock like pain; lasts a few sec
Trigger zone - stimulated by washing face/shaving etc.
Treated with carbamazepine 100mg 2x per day. Local anesthetic, injected to trigger zone can relief pain temporarily
- Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
Posterolateral tongue and ear of affected side
stimuli : eating, drinking, speaking
- Preherpetic neuralgia
Aching, burning pain, limited to distribution of trigeminal nerve
Treated with high dose acyclovir
- Postherpetic neuralgia
Unpleasant burning pain.
Blockade of stellate ganglion with bupivicaine (local anesthetic) (short term relief)
Pain of Vascular Origin[edit | edit source]
- migraine
Intense persisting aching pain, unilateral
Stimuli : food, alcohol, stress, hormones.
We give painkillers.
- Cluster headache
Intense aching pain that disturbs sleep, nasal congestion.
Stimuli : alcohol, vasodilators, high altitude.
Treat with ergotamine or sumatriptan.
- Giant cell Arteritis
Throbbing headache, unilateral, fever, malaise, weight loss
Treated with high dose prednisolone.
Atypical Orofacial Pain[edit | edit source]
Gripping, vice like aching pain, feeling of pressure
