Dolor orofacial. Importancia de la localización en el diagnóstico diferencial

Abstract

IINTRODUCTION: Orofacial pain is still not a very well known subject for General Dentists. However, many times the Dentist is the first one to be asked when a patient suffers craniofacial pain. The complexity of the anatomical area and the varieties of orofacial pain, can make an accurate diagnosis very difficult. The aim of this article is to help the clinician to make an approximate differential diagnosis, based on the areas where the patient feels pain. METHOD: Bibliographic research in PubMed and speciality books to determine the characteristics of pathologies with orofacial pain and their locations. We have used a drawing to determine anatomical areas where the pain could be felt due to different orofacial pathologies. RESULTS: Two drawings of the face have been used, frontal view and lateral view with the anatomic areas divided in them. Furthermore, two diagrams (1 and 2) have also been made to associate orofacial areas and pathologies which cause pain in the area. CONCLUSION: Using the diagrams, the Dentist can make an approximate differential diagnosis. With this system it is possible to minimise the delay between the patients’ first appointment and patient treatment or timeous referral.