Temporomandibular disorder and other causes of orofacial pain: first international classification and new treatment perspectives

Abstract

The diagnosis and treatment of orofacial pain is in many cases a complex task due to difficulties in history taking, multi‑faceted pathology, psychiatric comorbidities and psychosocial factors involved in such pain. Neurologists tend to overdiagnose trigeminal neuralgia. However, other types of neuropathiс orofacial pain are also common. Moreover, neurologists are often unfamiliar with the temporomandibular disorder and tend to neglect this extremely prevalent cause of orofacial pain. Correct understanding of the causes of orofacial pain is vital not only for treatment selection, but also to minimize the risk of adverse events associated with unnecessary madications. Moreover, untreated orofacial pain often becomes chronic and treatment resistant. Many patients in this case would require physical therapy, pharmacological treatments, cognitive behavioral therapy and other support options. The aim of this paper is to review the new International classification of orofacial pain as well as the prevalence, pathophysiology and treatment of the temporomandibular disorder, trigeminal neuralgia, persistent idiopathic facial pain, burning mouth syndrome and other forms of orofacial pain.