Key Info:
- 10-20% population may suffer from Facial Pain during their lifetime
- Invasive procedures certainly not recommended, as they could make pain worse
- Condition often misdiagnosed and under diagnosed
- Investigations to rule out a sinister cause of pain
- Pain intensity may wax and wane with time
“Please ask us, if you need more information, at the time of Pain Consultation. Your GP or Practice Pharmacist could be able to advise you further if needed”
Temporomandibular Pain Disorder:
• Also called as ‘TMD’ or ‘TMJ Pain’• Dull ache or burning pain affecting jaw, ear and temple
• Clicking, grinding of the jaw (bruxism)
• Pain extends to neck or scalp
• Headaches
• Background pain between episodes
• Affects one side more than the other
• Aggravated by any jaw movements, stress, low mood & cold weather
• Affects women more than men
• Caused by: wear and tear secondary to bruxism, myofascial triggers, Sensitised nerves, previous injury
Conditions mimicking TMD:
• Myofascial Pain Syndrome• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Post Traumatic Trigeminal Neuropathy (after dental procedures)
• Dental Pain
• Sinusitis
• Cluster headache
• Atypical Facial Pain
Investigations:
• Maxillofacial assessment• Dental assessment
• ENT assessment
Conservative management:
• Dental splints• Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline
• Duloxetine, Venlafaxine
• Pregabalin, Gabapentin
• Baclofen
• Stress and Anxiety management
• Self-management program
Minimally Invasive Procedures:
• BOTOX to Trigger Areas• Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block
• Stellate Ganglion Block