Orofacial pain is facial or oral discomfort in the region above the neck, in front of the ears, and from the eye line down. That discomfort may include numbness, soreness, sharp pain, or burning. About 95 percent of such pain is due to dental problems like toothaches, abscesses in gums, or even dysfunction of jaw joints.

Rutgers Health University Dental Associates orofacial pain specialists work closely with dental specialists throughout our practice, as well as other professionals throughout Rutgers Health, to help people overcome many orofacial conditions. We bring together a team of physical therapists, nutritional consultants, acupuncturists, and a psychologist, to go beyond dental care and treat the whole patient.

Our physicians are on the faculty of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, a member school of Rutgers University, one of the top research universities in the nation. Many are active in research and teach about all aspects of orofacial pain, and each brings leading edge knowledge from the classroom to the exam room.

Concerns over Orofacial Pain
Even one painful tooth can radiate discomfort to the rest of your mouth or face. It is important to have an evaluation of this pain because it can indicate a condition is progressing toward inflammation or infection. An evaluation can also determine whether the pain is the result of a cracked tooth or exposed root, which demands expert attention.

The following checklist can help determine if you could benefit from the services of an orofacial specialist:

• Have you had a root canal, but the tooth still hurts even after an extraction?
• Do you have severe pain around the eye and into your upper teeth, which wakes you from sleep?
• Do you have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) that did not respond to treatment?
• Do you have shock-like pain in your teeth that did not respond to treatment?
• Is there a change in your pain or has pain has spread or become worse despite treatment?
• Do you think you take too much medication, yet none seems to work?

Our orofacial specialists listen to you and discuss the type of pain you are experiencing. We take a comprehensive medical history and a physical assessment before getting a closer look, then design a treatment plan for short and long-term relief. Because our practice has specialists in every field of dentistry, patients can schedule an appointment to begin appropriate treatment soon after diagnosis.

If you or a loved one seek treatment for orofacial discomfort, Rutgers Health University Dental Associates orofacial specialists can provide expert, compassionate care.