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Persistent Dentoalveolar Pain Disorder: A Comprehensive Review
Alberto Malacarne1, Egilius L H Spierings1, Chao Lu1
1Division of Craniofacial Pain, Headache and Sleep, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
Journal of Endodontics
|November 28, 2017
Summary
Persistent dentoalveolar pain, likely neuropathic, poses diagnostic challenges due to unclear criteria. Further research requires standardized diagnostics to improve patient outcomes and understanding of this idiopathic pain.
Area of Science:
- Dental medicine
- Neurology
- Pain research
Background:
- Persistent dentoalveolar pain of idiopathic origin is a diagnostic challenge for clinicians.
- Lack of consensus on taxonomy and diagnostic criteria hinders research and leads to patient delays and mis treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current literature on persistent dentoalveolar pain.
- To highlight diagnostic challenges and the need for standardized criteria.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive PubMed search was conducted using multiple relevant keywords up to January 1, 2017.
- 345 abstracts were screened, and 128 articles underwent full-text review.
Main Results:
- The majority of existing literature consists of case reports and narrative reviews.
- Limited high-quality studies, including only 7 open-label and 2 randomized controlled trials, have evaluated treatment strategies.
Conclusions:
- Persistent dentoalveolar pain is suspected to be neuropathic, but its mechanisms remain poorly understood.
- Establishing a correct diagnosis before treatment is crucial. Agreement on diagnostic criteria is needed for coherent research and to alleviate patient suffering.
