Is phantom tooth pain a deafferentation (neuropathic) syndrome? Part II: Psychosocial considerations

The symptoms of phantom tooth pain are often considered to be of psychological origin by those unfamiliar with its clinical characteristics. Part of the problem is that phantom tooth pain is often confused with atypical facial pain. Extensive literature exists for the latter that suggests a psychological cause. Many studies of atypical facial pain, however, suffer from one or more of four methodologic problems. In the present study, 115 phantom tooth pain cases are compared with a contrast group of 151 facial pain cases and 137 nonpain controls on a variety of personality characteristics. Only one trait personality factor, locus of control, statistically differentiates the three groups. The chief psychological difference of the phantom tooth pain sample compared with the control and contrast groups was higher scores on a measure of demoralization. Demoralization can be interpreted as a consequence as well as an antecedent of the chronic pain state. Evidence for each opinion is presented. Suggestions for obtaining informed consent of prospective endodontic patients are suggested. This study has not demonstrated that phantom tooth pain cases are characterized by a specific premorbid personality.