title: Atypical odontalgia--an update.
abstract: Atypical odontalgia is a commonly misdiagnosed condition that frequently leads to unnecessary dental treatments such as extraction and endodontic therapy. These treatments often worsen the pain. Despite greater recognition and understanding of this condition, proper diagnosis and treatment remains a challenge. It is believed that atypical odontalgia is a neuropathic condition. This article updates the current understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of atypical odontalgia, and provides appropriate diagnostic and management approaches for this condition.
authors.affiliation: Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine Center, University of Southern California, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Seena B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Audrey L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Boros
authors.forename: Satish K S
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D014098:Toothache / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis