19 Feb Orofacial Pain Indicators That Go Beyond TMJ
When you hear the words “jaw pain” or “facial pain,” you probably think of the TMJs (temporomandibular joints/jaw joints), which are the site of pain for patients who have TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder; many people refer to this disorder as simply “TMJ”).
However, TMJ/TMD isn’t always the cause of facial and jaw pain (orofacial pain).
At TMJ and Sleep Solutions of Alabama, orofacial pain is one of our specialties. We’ve created this article so anyone who reads it can learn accurate information about orofacial pain and what to do about it from experts in the field.
What Is Orofacial Pain?
Orofacial pain is pain in the head, face, jaw, and neck that occurs due to neuropathic, musculoskeletal, vascular, or idiopathic disorders.
Types of non-TMJ orofacial pain and corresponding disorders include:
- Trigeminal neuralgia & neuropathic pain
- Persistent idiopathic facial pain
- Migraine & cluster headache disorders
- Post-surgical or post-dental work pain
- Myofasical pain & tension headaches
- Burning mouth syndrome
- Cervicogenic headaches
- Dystonia in the jaw or face
Indicators That Your Orofacial Pain Isn’t Tmj-Related
The signs and symptoms of orofacial pain can mimic the pain of dysfunctional TMJs or other jaw alignment-related problems, as well as dental pain. This mimicking can sometimes lead dentists to misdiagnose patients and refer them to the wrong type of specialist.
To help you understand the difference, here are some clinical indicators that your orofacial pain may be unrelated to TMJ:
Persistent pain despite “normal” imaging, structure, and function
One of the most consistent signs we see that a patient’s orofacial pain isn’t TMJ-related is when the pain persists despite everything appearing “normal” on X-rays and during hands-on functional/structural assessments.
In other words, if your jaw and jaw joints are functioning correctly and are not structurally flawed, injured, inflamed, or otherwise abnormal, the root of the pain is probably not TMJ-related.
This is especially true if TMJ disorder is not the right diagnosis for the cause of your pain, and starting treatment for it yields little to no relief.
Pain with neuropathic features
Symptoms like burning, tingling, numbness, or shooting/shocking pain are not typical for TMJ disorder or dysfunction. Instead, these are signs of neuropathic orofacial pain conditions like trigeminal neuralgia, trigeminal neuropathy, and burning mouth syndrome.
Referred pain
Orofacial pain can actually be referred from the neck or skull base, meaning the pain isn’t originating from the jaw or face. This can occur because the nerves in the neck and face both send pain signals to a part of the brain stem called the trigeminocervical nucleus, which can misidentify the source of pain and lead the brain to perceive it in the jaw or face.
Headache-related facial pain patterns
Sometimes, headaches can induce orofacial pain. If you notice a pattern where you start having jaw or facial pain after a headache begins, rather than a headache after jaw or TMJ pain first, it is likely not coming from the jaw/TMJs.
When to See an Orofacial Pain Specialist
These are signs you need to see an Orofacial Pain Specialist (not a dentist) for your jaw or face pain:
- You have had dental or TMJ pain treatment, but it isn’t relieving your pain.
- Your jaw pain starts after you already have a headache.
- You’re experiencing burning, stinging, numbness, tingling, or other symptoms that are indicative of nerve problems in the area.
- You believe your TMJ diagnosis is inaccurate.
- You have pain in your face, jaw, or right in front of your ears (where your jaw joints sit), but don’t struggle to chew food, yawn, or talk.
- You don’t notice any difference in your pain when you chew food, yawn, or talk.
- Your headaches aren’t responding to over-the-counter pain medicine.
- Your migraines are getting worse with age.
Where to See an Orofacial Pain Specialist in Alabama
Our practice, TMJ and Sleep Solutions of Alabama, in Homewood, is led by board-certified Orofacial Pain Specialist, Dr. Amy Hartsfield. Not only do our patients love her for being the best at what she does, but she’s also the only Orofacial Pain specialist in Alabama.
Furthermore, Dr. Hartsfield is a recognized expert in the field, with memberships in the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, the International Headache Society, and the American Headache Society. You can trust that, no matter the source of your pain, she’ll get to the bottom of it and help you try treatment options that deliver the true pain relief you long for.
Contact Us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hartsfield, and coordinate with our brilliant, helpful office staff to find a time that works for you. We look forward to meeting and working with you!