Pain Assessment in Oral Medicine through Its Different Dimensions: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Orofacial pain is a complex experience made up of different features and involving various aspects of life. It has demonstrated a connection, especially when chronic, with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, through paths that still have not been completely clarified. A deep understanding of orofacial pain and its impact on an individual’s life is critical for planning accurate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the components constituting the pain experience, its implications in an individual’s life, the different tools for multidimensional pain assessment, and the specific applications for each tool. A comprehensive review was performed using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases. Ninety-five studies, including observational studies, clinical trials, case–control studies, and case reports, were included and analyzed in this review. Orofacial pain assessment exploits several methods, ranging from clinical evaluation to rating scales, questionnaires, and daily diaries. The choice of the correct instrument requires an evaluation of the type of pain experienced, of the patient’s characteristics and abilities to complete particular tasks, and finally, of the assessment tool features.