Craniofacial pain syndromes that mimic temporomandibular joint disorders

Undiagnosed pain in the face, head and neck is very frustrating to all parties involved: the patient, the family of the patient, and the clinician. Simple pains may be treated with ease; however, chronic pain is a different matter. Often, patients consult numerous doctors, clinics, and hospitals in their search of pain relief. The patient may then undergo extensive and at times, unnecessary invasive treatment with the hope that the relentless agony of their suffering will be relieved. The purpose of this article is primarily one of education. Physicians and dentists alike encounter these unfortunate sufferers and yet, are confounded by the multitude of symptoms and complaints. Therefore, it was felt that an article such as this was needed. Many concepts presented within are either new or revised. It will be interesting to the reader just how similar many of these pain syndromes appear. Yet, when a systematic diagnostic approach is attempted, it will become clear just how different these syndromes are as well.