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Chronic orofacial pain

Sowmya Ananthan1, Rafael Benoliel2

  • 1Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Center for Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, 110 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ, 07101, USA.

Journal of Neural Transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996)
|March 5, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Chronic orofacial pain (COFP) requires a specific definition beyond the general 3-month rule. Current definitions for orofacial pain and headache focus on pain frequency and duration, not just time.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pain Medicine
  • Dentistry

Background:

  • General pain chronicity definitions (pain > 3 months) are inadequate for orofacial pain (OFP) and headache (HA).
  • Existing definitions for chronic HA and OFP involve pain on >15 days/month, >4 hours/day for 3 months.
  • This definition differentiates from episodic, short-lasting pains common in the face and head.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the definition and utility of 'chronic orofacial pain' (COFP).
  • To discuss the components and clinical relevance of COFP.
  • To analyze the term's application in clinical practice and epidemiology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pain chronicity definitions.
  • Analysis of current diagnostic criteria for orofacial pain and headache.
  • Conceptual discussion of chronic orofacial pain entities.

Main Results:

  • The standard 3-month pain duration is insufficient for defining chronic orofacial pain.
  • A more specific definition for chronic orofacial pain, similar to chronic headache, is needed.
  • The term 'chronic orofacial pain' (COFP) is currently poorly defined and requires further clarification.

Conclusions:

  • A refined definition of chronic orofacial pain is crucial for accurate diagnosis and research.
  • Standardizing the definition of COFP will improve clinical practice and epidemiological studies.
  • Further research is needed to establish a universally accepted definition for COFP.

Keywords:
Facial painHeadacheMigraineMyalgiaNeuropathic painPersistent pain

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