The Aetiology and Management of Chronic Idiopathic Facial Pain: a Review

Chronic idiopathic facial pain is the diagnosis given to a group of orofacial pain of psychogenic origin which includes atypical facial pain, facial-arthromyalgia, atypical odontalgia and oral dysaesthesia. Despite various biochemical findings, the condition remains poorly understood, but we have begun to understand the nature of these patients. This review discusses the possible aetiology of the disease through various biochemical and clinical findings. The contribution of behavioural and psychological factors to the clinical course of the disease are described. The type of adverse life events that predispose people to the disease and their potency are briefly mentioned. The current diagnostic approach for the disease is also mentioned. Treatment includes antidepressant medication, physiotherapy, bite-guards and analgesics. The problems encountered in the long-term management and outcome studies of these patients include drop-outs, non-compliance and denial.