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If you have headaches, ear pain, neck pain, facial burning, dental pain, or jaw pain, you’re experiencing orofacial pain. There are traditional and surgical treatment options available at NextGen OMS in Richardson, TX. Unfortunately, there are many reasons that could cause pain in these areas. Therefore, it’s important to work with your medical professional and our oral surgeon to trace the source of your pain so you can receive the proper treatment.

Along with orofacial pain, you may experience dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), itching, or other symptoms. We have found that patients often develop symptoms gradually and possible causes include musculoskeletal, neurovascular, or neuropathic issues. Keep reading to learn more about the sources of orofacial pain, as well as your treatment options.

What Are the Sources of Orofacial Pain?

Your doctor might refer you to an oral surgeon if you need surgical treatment for orofacial pain. First, Dr. Eftekhari asks you a series of questions and examines the areas that hurt. Once there’s a conclusive diagnosis, you can begin your treatment plan. But, what are the causes of orofacial pain?

There are many possible causes of oral-facial pain. For example, if you grind your teeth in your sleep, you have bruxism and you may wake with an aching job. Tooth misalignment, trauma to the jaw, neck, or face, and trigeminal neuralgia (a disorder of the facial nerves) can all lead to orofacial pain. However, not all of these conditions require an oral surgeon.

Make an appointment with an oral surgeon as recommended by your physician or if you suspect that you have any of the following conditions:

• Temporomandibular joint disorders – Known as TMJ, this condition results when you injure or traumatize the temporomandibular joint that holds your upper and lower jaws together.

 

• Trigeminal neuropathic pain disorders- The most common example, trigeminal neuralgia, results from misfiring pain messages coming from the geminal nerves in your face.

 

• Neurovascular disorders– Migraines are an example of orofacial pain resulting from neurovascular disorders.

 

• Complex temporomandibular disorders- If you have multiple surgeries that involve joint replacement or TMJ treatment, you can develop a complex temporomandibular disorder.

 

• Burning mouth syndrome- This condition can result from nerve damage. you may also experience this symptom if you have a fungal infection, decreased saliva production, or take certain medications.

 

• Sleep disorders- If you clench your jaw or grind your teeth at night, you may suffer from sleeping disorders that impact your quality of sleep and lead to pain and discomfort.

 

• Dyskinesias and dystonias- Involuntary contractions or movements can result from taking certain medication or a nervous system disorder.

 

• Trauma- From an accident to other causes of injury and trauma, there are many events that can cause orofacial pain.

An oral surgeon can help you get a definitive diagnosis of the cause of your pain. Whether you feel a dull pain, ache, or sharp stabbing pain, it’s important to seek treatment to find the underlying cause. Everyone may experience muscle soreness, discomfort while swallowing, or headaches. However, if you have symptoms that get worse and do not improve, it’s time to seek treatment.

Conservative Treatments for Orofacial Pain

When you come in for a consultation with Dr. Eftekhari, he may recommend conservative treatment to avoid surgery. However, a surgeon often advises less invasive treatment since every surgery has its risks. Often, a conservative approach can help you find and eliminate the source of the pain.

Non-invasive treatments include the following:

• Mouthguard or stabilization splint
• Non-prescription medication
• Hot and cold therapy
• Muscle relaxers
• Jaw stretches or other exercises to relax the impacted area
• Facial relaxation techniques

Other treatments include injections, acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and other equipment that works effectively to treat your condition.

Surgical Orofacial Pain Treatment in Richardson, TX

If you do end up needing surgery for orofacial pain, you can rely on our experienced oral surgeon to trace the symptoms to the source of the pain. While surgery is never the first resort for facial pain, it is a logical next step if conservative treatment does not alleviate or eliminate your pain.

Do you have debilitating pain in your neck or head region? If so, an oral surgeon can perform the following types of surgery to help correct various issues:

• Orthognathic surgery to fix tooth misalignment
• Arthrocentesis flushes out the temporomandibular joint
• Arthroscopy corrects structural issues and can treat joint tissue

There are many other types of oral and maxillofacial surgeries that can help alleviate face and mouth pain. For example, you might need a tooth extraction, wisdom teeth removal, or dental implants.

Oral surgery specialists go through years of additional training to receive their certification. That’s why many dentists refer the toughest cases to NextGen OMS. Our representation for successful outcomes and the care and diligence of our team draw in new clients and keep the current ones loyal to us through the treatment cycle.

Oral Surgeon in Richardson, TX

If you need the skills of a highly qualified surgeon, come to NextGen OMS. We handle all aspects of oral surgery and the oral surgeon strives to use non-surgical procedures to alleviate your pain. However, in some situations, surgery seems the best option. There’s no need to live with pain when you can come to our office for a free evaluation and to correct the problem.

Do you have questions about your orofacial pain that you need to ask the doctor in private? Your conversation with Dr. Eftekhari will help you understand your specific risk when it comes to surgical versus nonsurgical treatment options.

Contact us today to set up a consultation or to learn more about our services. We would also be happy to talk to you about any of our services.