title: Classification and Differential Diagnosis of Oral and Maxillofacial Pain.
abstract: Pain in the orofacial region is a common presenting symptom. The majority of symptoms are related to dental disease and the cause can readily be established, the problem dealt with, and the pain eliminated. However, pain may persist and defy attempts at treatment. Intractable oral or facial pain can be diagnostically challenging. To make a definitive diagnosis and initiate proper treatment, a rigorous protocol for evaluation includes a thorough history and an appropriate comprehensive clinical examination and diagnostic testing, including chief complaint, history of present illness, medical history, physical examination, diagnostic studies, including imaging, and psychosocial evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pain, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Warren 1201, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, Suite 230, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: sscrivani1@partners.org.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Scrivani
authors.affiliation: Tufts University Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Egilius L H
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Spierings
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003945:Diagnosis, Oral; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010808:Physical Examination
keywords: Classification; Craniofacial pain; Diagnostic evaluation; Diagnostic imaging; Differential diagnosis; Maxillofacial pain; Orofacial pain; Physical examination