Toothache with a multifactorial etiology: a case report

A case report of orofacial pain originating from both dental and nondental conditions is presented. The spontaneous throbbing pain initiated from the left maxillary second premolar and spread throughout the entire upper part of the face to the frontoparietal area. Root canal treatment of the maxillary second premolar did not resolve the chief complaint. Magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed hypertrophy of the left inferior turbinate and soft tissue haziness in the left maxillary sinus floor. After antrostomy, submucosal turbinectomy, and endodontic treatment, the patient was free from pain. The final diagnosis of this case, in addition to pulpitis, was maxillary sinusitis with chronic rhinitis. The multiple factors associated with the etiology made the diagnosis difficult. The mechanism of referred pain from the maxillary sinus and paranasal mucosa to the maxillary teeth and face is discussed.