Like most people here, I have had many dental procedures, tried most of the possible meds, and consulted with a number of different specialists, often multiple times. I am not a candidate for MVD or most of the other surgical procedures. And if I can take 3-4 meds to keep things stable, I'm ready to accept that. I just don't believe that they will be able to do much better, and a lot of the things we've tried have been really terrible for me.
But I was at the dentist this week for a regular check-up, and was frustrated that they really know so little. I wondered whether it would be worth going to an orofacial pain specialist to see if they have suggestions. My neurologist doesn't think so because the treatments will be the same.
If you have been to an orofacial pain specialist, do you agree? Will it be a waste of time and money because they do the same thing as the neurologist? Or will they look at all the root canals and dental records and see something different? If so, what would they do?
I think an orofacial pain specialist is the best type of doctor to treat ATN/TNP/Type 2 pain.
Mine had me get a new CT using a particular scanner called a Morita, and even though my previous CTs didn't show anything, this new CT showed that my fourth canal was not filled during my root canal. I had it fixed but my pain remained. It's still good to know that I now have a "good" root canal on that tooth. Also, the Morita scan can show cracks in the teeth.
Hi mac, like Crystal, I think an orofacial pain specialist is the very best doctor to help those of us with ATN type pain and especially those with tooth centered pain. Because my orofacial pain specialist is also a dentist, he is well versed in making the distinction between neuropathic pain and tooth pain caused by fractures or decay. When I asked my dentist and endodontist if they had ever seen anyone else with symptoms like mine, neither of them had (which is why they both referred me to the specialist). When I asked my orofacial pain specialist the same question, his response was "all the time". One benefit to seeing an orofacial pain specialist is that they chose specifically to go into the area of facial pain; it's their area of interest and thus they are very invested in helping patients as much as they can. One of my doctor's colleagues is heavily involved in research as well. My GP, dentist and endodontist all do a fantastic job of looking after me to the best of their ability and I could not ask for more from them. My orofacial pain specialist has been the most help to me in terms of dealing with ATN, however, simply because of his experience and the fact that he has more sophisticated training in this area. I am much better off now than I was when I first started seeing him.
In terms of what they do, he reviewed all of my films, examined my teeth and ruled out actual tooth problems as the cause of my pain. I am not a surgical candidate, so I am being treated with medication. I did physical therapy to help control the muscle spasms that I get secondary to the ATN pain, which has been helpful. Also, I was given some guidelines on simple things I could do to alleviate the pain such as avoiding crunchy or chewy foods, applying heat/ice, not sleeping on my stomach and such.
It does depend on the doctor, of course, but I think that if you have an opportunity to see an orofacial pain specialist, you might want to give it a shot. It doesn't seem like you have anything to lose and perhaps, everything to gain.
Thank you for the input, this is very helpful. I am going to get more serious about pursuing a referral. Sounds like the better CT (although I have already had a lot of radiation this year) is one good reason and the different perspective/training is another.
Also, I'm in Minneapolis fairly often, could I ask who your doctor is? Thank you!
Chris K. said:
Hi mac, like Crystal, I think an orofacial pain specialist is the very best doctor to help those of us with ATN type pain and especially those with tooth centered pain. Because my orofacial pain specialist is also a dentist, he is well versed in making the distinction between neuropathic pain and tooth pain caused by fractures or decay. When I asked my dentist and endodontist if they had ever seen anyone else with symptoms like mine, neither of them had (which is why they both referred me to the specialist). When I asked my orofacial pain specialist the same question, his response was "all the time". One benefit to seeing an orofacial pain specialist is that they chose specifically to go into the area of facial pain; it's their area of interest and thus they are very invested in helping patients as much as they can. One of my doctor's colleagues is heavily involved in research as well. My GP, dentist and endodontist all do a fantastic job of looking after me to the best of their ability and I could not ask for more from them. My orofacial pain specialist has been the most help to me in terms of dealing with ATN, however, simply because of his experience and the fact that he has more sophisticated training in this area. I am much better off now than I was when I first started seeing him.
In terms of what they do, he reviewed all of my films, examined my teeth and ruled out actual tooth problems as the cause of my pain. I am not a surgical candidate, so I am being treated with medication. I did physical therapy to help control the muscle spasms that I get secondary to the ATN pain, which has been helpful. Also, I was given some guidelines on simple things I could do to alleviate the pain such as avoiding crunchy or chewy foods, applying heat/ice, not sleeping on my stomach and such.
It does depend on the doctor, of course, but I think that if you have an opportunity to see an orofacial pain specialist, you might want to give it a shot. It doesn't seem like you have anything to lose and perhaps, everything to gain.
I agree with you 100%. Just look for an orofacial pain specialist in you area by looking in the American academy of craniofacial pain or american academy of orofacial pain. Most Doctors are dentists with training in facial and craniofacial pain and at least will be able to help you eliminate future causes of other TN related pains.
mac said:
Also, I'm in Minneapolis fairly often, could I ask who your doctor is? Thank you!
Chris K. said:
Hi mac, like Crystal, I think an orofacial pain specialist is the very best doctor to help those of us with ATN type pain and especially those with tooth centered pain. Because my orofacial pain specialist is also a dentist, he is well versed in making the distinction between neuropathic pain and tooth pain caused by fractures or decay. When I asked my dentist and endodontist if they had ever seen anyone else with symptoms like mine, neither of them had (which is why they both referred me to the specialist). When I asked my orofacial pain specialist the same question, his response was "all the time". One benefit to seeing an orofacial pain specialist is that they chose specifically to go into the area of facial pain; it's their area of interest and thus they are very invested in helping patients as much as they can. One of my doctor's colleagues is heavily involved in research as well. My GP, dentist and endodontist all do a fantastic job of looking after me to the best of their ability and I could not ask for more from them. My orofacial pain specialist has been the most help to me in terms of dealing with ATN, however, simply because of his experience and the fact that he has more sophisticated training in this area. I am much better off now than I was when I first started seeing him.
In terms of what they do, he reviewed all of my films, examined my teeth and ruled out actual tooth problems as the cause of my pain. I am not a surgical candidate, so I am being treated with medication. I did physical therapy to help control the muscle spasms that I get secondary to the ATN pain, which has been helpful. Also, I was given some guidelines on simple things I could do to alleviate the pain such as avoiding crunchy or chewy foods, applying heat/ice, not sleeping on my stomach and such.
It does depend on the doctor, of course, but I think that if you have an opportunity to see an orofacial pain specialist, you might want to give it a shot. It doesn't seem like you have anything to lose and perhaps, everything to gain.