Orofacial Pain Academy Channel

Course Overview

The dental profession is constantly facing new challenges concerning the different reasons for patients to seek advice. Amongst those, the different causes of orofacial pain are an argument that represents a hot topic in many fields of dental education.

Within these premises, seasonal topics have been identified in:“Orofacial Pain”,“Temporomandibular Disorders”

Who this course is for: any oral health specialist who wishes to get a deeper understanding of the many facets of orofacial pain, in terms of diagnosis and latest treatment strategies.

Orofacial Pain Season

The term orofacial pain (OFP) commonly refers to pain associated with the hard and soft tissues of the head, face, oral cavity, and neck. OFP disorders may include temporomandibular disorders, oromotor and jaw behavior disorders, neuropathic pain disorders, neurovascular and headache disorders. An estimated 30-40% of the population has experienced some form of OFP with the most significant prevalence in the 18- to 25-year-old age group. The pathophysiology of OF

Ps may be due to disease of the orofacial structures, musculoskeletal system disorders, peripheral or central nervous system disorders, systemic maladies, the manifestation of psychosocial disorders, or possibly the sequela of poor sleep. OFP can be primary in presentation or secondary due to referral from other sources, such as cervical or intracranial structures.

In this season, an exploration of the OFP disorders to include neuropathic orofacial pains, burning mouth syndrome (disorder), and primary headache disorders will be coordinated by Prof. Steven Bender (Texas A&M, USA). Prof. Bender will begin the season with a presentation of the diagnostic protocols for some of the more commonly occurring neuropathic orofacial pains based on the new International Classification of Orofacial Pains (Cephalalgia 2020) as well as evidence based therapeutic choices.

• Temporomandibular Disorders Season
• The term Temporomandibular disorders (TM

Ds) is an umbrella term referring to musculoskeletal disorders in the orofacial area. It includes musculoskeletal pain in the orofacial region, which is the second most prevalent cause of orofacial pain after dental pathology, and functional disorders of the masticatory system. Patients visiting the dental office with TM

• Ds usually complain about function-dependent pain in the masticatory muscles or the temporomandibular joints (TM
• Js), noises from the TM

Js, and/or limitation in the of the range of motion of the jaw. The (differential) diagnosis of TMD can be challenging especially in chronic orofacial pain patients who may present with a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms. Setting the proper diagnosis and excluding other pathologies can be a challenging task at the dental office but at the same time the only key factor for appropriate and successful management. As other chronic pain disorders, the management of TMD requires an interdisciplinary approach for the best treatment outcome.

• By attending the lectures of the season, the attendees will receive an overview of the up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge about both masticatory muscles and TM
• Js’ disorders with emphasis on epidemiology, (differential) diagnosis, and management.

Full Course Program