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The contribution of psychiatry and medicine to diagnosis and management of idiopathic orofacial pain: A multidisciplinary problem

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Abstract

The present confusion concerning cause, terminology, diagnosis, and treatment in the field of chronic orofacial pain is discussed.The four complexes of facial arthromyalgia, atypical facial pain, atypical odontalgia, and oral dysesthesia are described both in terms of physical symptoms and signs and in terms of associated personality and psychiatric problems. Recent studies are critically reviewed. The roles of antidepressant agents and cognitive behavioral therapy in the management of chronic orofacial pain are established.The need for multidisciplinary clinics and specific training programs is reiterated and the value of the liaison psychiatrist emphasized.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University College London, 48 Riding House Street, W1N 8AA, London, UK

    Charlotte Feinmann MSc, MD, MRCPsych & Geir Madland BSc, FDS, RCS

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  1. Charlotte Feinmann MSc, MD, MRCPsych
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  2. Geir Madland BSc, FDS, RCS
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Feinmann, C., Madland, G. The contribution of psychiatry and medicine to diagnosis and management of idiopathic orofacial pain: A multidisciplinary problem. Current Review of Pain 2, 41–48 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-998-0061-y

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