If you’re experiencing chronic, yet persistent pain in one or more teeth, you may be experiencing atypical odontalgia or “phantom tooth” pain. This pain can often occur after having oral surgery, but this isn’t always the case. Read on to learn more about phantom tooth pain and what it can mean for you.
Why Is It Called Atypical Odontalgia
Odontalgia is simply the medical way to say “toothache.” Atypical means not typical or undefined. Most tooth pain can be traced to temperature sensitivities, damage, or infections, but when the cause cannot be found, it’s known as atypical.
What Is Phantom Tooth Pain?
Phantom tooth pain is a constant, chronic, lingering pain in your mouth and, often, in an area of recent dental work. This can manifest as pain in a tooth that is no longer there after an extraction or as pain in the mouth or teeth that is difficult to pinpoint and does not improve with other dental treatments. This pain can sometimes be caused by a damaged or dysfunctional nerve, but even this is often difficult or impossible to pinpoint as a cause.
Is Phantom Tooth Pain Normal After Dental Surgery?
Phantom tooth pain tends to follow oral surgery, like a root canal, extraction, or filling, but it is not common in the sense that most patients should expect to experience this following oral surgery. While many people suffer from phantom tooth pain, knowledge of the disorder is just uncommon enough to often require a specialist, like an oral surgeon or highly qualified dentist, to diagnose and treat.
What Are the Symptoms of Phantom Tooth Pain?
Common symptoms are described as mild to severe throbbing or aching tooth pain. The pain can vary from mild to quite painful within a day. Phantom tooth pain may start in one area and spread to other parts of your mouth and jaw.
How Do You Diagnose Phantom Tooth Pain?
Due to the atypical nature of the disorder, diagnosis takes observation over time. During this time, your dentist may try a few different solutions to ensure the issue doesn’t have underlying causes. Thorough oral exams and radiographs will likely be used to help check for and rule out common causes of tooth pain.
What Is the Treatment for Phantom Tooth Pain?
Treatment for phantom tooth pain often relies on pain management. Your dentist may first try injections to help manage the pain. If that doesn’t work, there are a number of medications they may try to help patients find relief. Antidepressants, anesthetics, anticonvulsants, and other prescription-strength medications may be employed to help manage the pain. Some holistic treatments include acupuncture and nerve stimulation.
If you think you may be experiencing phantom tooth pain, contact us today!
Contact Us