Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2025
06:37
Temporomandibular Joint Pain Measurement by Bite Force and Von Frey Filament Assays in Mice
Published on: September 13, 2024
1.1K
Persistent Idiopathic Dentoalveolar Pain: Is It a Central Pain Disorder?
Gary M Heir1, Sowmya Ananthan2, Mythili Kalladka3
1Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Center for Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, 110 Bergen Street, Room D835, Newark, NJ 07101, USA.
Dental Clinics of North America
|November 20, 2022
Summary
Idiopathic orofacial pain, often persistent and poorly localized, may stem from a common central cause despite varied peripheral symptoms. This review explores unifying factors in conditions like burning mouth syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Orofacial Pain
- Neurology
- Dentistry
Background:
- The International Classification of Orofacial Pain (ICOP) defines idiopathic pain as trigeminal nerve-related facial or intraoral pain of unknown origin.
- This pain is typically persistent, moderate in intensity, poorly localized, and described as dull, pressing, or burning.
- Conditions such as burning mouth syndrome and persistent idiopathic facial and dentoalveolar pain are categorized under ICOP idiopathic pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss common features of idiopathic orofacial pain conditions.
- To explore the potential for a common central cause underlying diverse peripheral complaints.
- To present a representative case illustrating these concepts.
Main Methods:
- Review of diagnostic criteria for idiopathic orofacial pain from the ICOP.
- Analysis of common clinical characteristics across various idiopathic pain diagnoses.
- Presentation and discussion of a relevant clinical case example.
Main Results:
- Idiopathic orofacial pain shares characteristics like persistence, moderate intensity, poor localization, and a dull, pressing, or burning quality.
- A unifying central mechanism may underlie the peripheral manifestations of conditions like burning mouth syndrome and persistent idiopathic facial pain.
- The presented case exemplifies the overlap in symptoms and potential shared etiology.
Conclusions:
- Despite varied peripheral presentations, idiopathic orofacial pain conditions may share a common central pathophysiology.
- Recognizing these common features is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management.
- Further research into central mechanisms is warranted for these challenging pain conditions.
Keywords:
Atypical facial painAtypical odontalgia (AO)Idiopathic facial painNociplastic painPersistent dentoalveolar pain (PDAP)More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
732
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
732
01:44Nociception
28.7K
Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain.
28.7K
01:20Pain
561
Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
561
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
133
The pancreas, an elongated and flat gland situated behind the stomach, serves a vital function in digesting food and managing blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
133
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
24
Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
24
01:24Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers
912
Local anesthetics (LAs) block the sodium channels of nerve trunks, sensory nerve endings, and neuromuscular junctions. Although LAs can block all kinds of nerves, the sensitivity of nerve fibers differs according to nerve types and structures. LAs are known to block myelinated fibers faster than unmyelinated ones. Also, they block pain or sensory neurons at low concentrations without affecting the motor neurons involved in muscle contractions. This helps relieve labor pain without affecting the...
912