Graduate Orofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Medicine Clinic

Please bring previously taken radiographs (X-rays), radiology reports and oral appliances you are currently using. 

There are many causes of chronic orofacial pain, including nerve disorders, headache, musculoskeletal and TMJ disorders. New patients receive a comprehensive examination for head, neck and facial pain. This includes cranial nerve function testing as well as cervical and TMJ function. An oral evaluation, thorough muscle palpation of the head and neck muscles and a sleep breathing disorder assessment are also performed.  These examinations are necessary to determine the cause or source of the pain which will assist in determining the most effective treatment protocols. A CT, MRI or blood tests may also be ordered as part of this comprehensive evaluation. Diagnosis and treatment of chronic orofacial pain requires medical codes and is not covered by dental insurance.

Since chronic pain can have an overwhelming impact on normal function and may be related to sleep disruption, new patients must fill out psychological and sleep-related questionnaires. We may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy with a clinical psychologist to address the psychological/stress components of the pain or be referred to a sleep physician for an evaluation.
Chronic pain is often multi-factorial and treatment usually takes several visits to gain improvement. Since pain and other symptoms may have been present for some time, the treatments also take time to make an impact on the pain. There is no “magic bullet” for chronic pain. Treatments differ, depending on the type of pain and may involve physical medicine modalities, nerve blocks, joint lavage as well as oral and topical medications.