EP-3 TMD and Orofacial Pain in Diagnosis of Endodontic Pain

CE Hours: 1.0

Description: This session will focus on the key aspects of painful TMDs and other orofacial pain conditions, including neuropathic, neurovascular, and nociplastic types, which can mimic or overlap with endodontic pain. The multifactorial etiology and contributing factors—such as occlusion, trauma, and psychosocial influences—of common non-odontogenic orofacial pain conditions will be outlined. We will explore important symptoms, medical history, and personal factors that may affect the pain experience and indicate a non-endodontic origin of pain in endodontic patients. Additionally, a brief TMD pain screening questionnaire tailored for a busy endodontic practice will be reviewed. A validated TMD examination protocol, alongside internationally recognized diagnostic criteria and differential diagnostic measures for neurovascular, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain, will also be presented.

Learning Objectives:  

• Identify nonodontogenic orofacial pain diagnoses with a potential to masquerade as endodontic pain. Categorize toothaches originating from nondental sources into one of four main groups of nonodontogenic pain conditions.
• Demonstrate understanding of multifactorial etiology and contributing factors to the most common nonodontogenic orofacial pain conditions.
• Reference and utilize relevant screening tools, diagnositc criteria, and differential diagnostic measures for various orofacial pain conditions mimicking endodontic pain.