8-Minute Listen In the field of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and orofacial pain (OFP), we are facing a critical juncture in patient care. Our current diagnostic approach, while useful, may be too broad to capture the nuanced differences between patients...
11-Minute Listen Chronic Trigeminal Neuropathy Chronic trigeminal neuropathy (CTN) involves damage or dysfunction of the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the skin and mucosal surfaces of the face to the brain. Depending...
8-Minutes Listen As healthcare providers, we often encounter situations where our patients don't improve as expected, despite our best efforts and well-crafted treatment plans. This can be frustrating for both the patient and the practitioner. While it's natural to...
In Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine, many chronic conditions need permanent storage of medications since patients need to take the medicines for months, even for years. The prescription is usually granted once every 8 to 12 weeks when the patient is seen in a...
Orofacial pain encompasses a range of conditions affecting the jaw, mouth, face, and associated regions. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a subset of these conditions, characterized by symptoms such as face and neck muscle pain, nerve pain, temporomandibular...
In an ever-evolving world where technology continually reshapes how we learn and practice, the realm of dental education is no exception. While the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC has pioneered a Hybrid Online Competency-Based Residency Training, if...
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various fields, and orofacial pain and oral medicine is no exception. This blog explores the impact of AI on diagnostic accuracy, patient care, and the overall practice of dental medicine. Understanding Orofacial...
As dentists and any other healthcare providers, we continually evolve with new research, techniques, and technologies. Attending professional conferences is an invaluable opportunity to stay updated, network with peers, and enhance practice. These past weeks, four...
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) comprises the mandibular condyle and the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone, covered by fibrocartilage, which provides greater resilience and support to mechanical stress [1]. This joint can be affected by bone deterioration, causing...
In recent years, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape of higher education has undergone a significant transformation with the proliferation of online learning platforms and the increasing demand for flexible educational opportunities. In response...
Painful temporomandibular disorder (TMD) stands as a prevalent source of orofacial pain, affecting 5-12% of US adults. As dentists, our encounters with TMD cases are frequent, with patients presenting discomfort, audible sounds, or limitations in jaw movement. Despite...
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex joints in the body. It is considered a ginglymoarthrodial joint because it provides rotation (ginglymoid) and translation (arthrodial) movements [1]. It is formed by the mandibular condyle and the temporal...
Salivary glands are exocrine glands that produce saliva in the oral cavity. The major salivary glands are parotid, submandibular, and sublingual. The minor salivary glands line the oral mucosa and the upper digestive tract. Salivary gland tumors are uncommon. The most...
Orofacial pain specialists are dentists who diagnose and treat orofacial pain disorders. Orofacial Pain (OFP) is the latest specialty of dentistry recognized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards. In 2020, this...
Oral medicine was recently acknowledged as the 11th ADA-recognized specialty in dentistry. The American Academy of Oral Medicine defines oral medicine as the specialty of dentistry responsible for the oral health care of medically complex patients and for diagnosing...
Facial sweat is a natural bodily response that helps regulate body temperature and maintain overall health. However, excessive facial sweating can be a source of concern for many individuals, leading to discomfort, embarrassment, and self-consciousness. Some causes of...
In 1927, Fay described a painful condition over the common carotid bifurcation, without any structural abnormality. The condition was described as Fay’s Syndrome or Idiopathic Carotidynia. The pain is located in the anterior part of the neck, over the bifurcation of...
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by upper airway collapse during sleep. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment, but its efficacy is hindered by low compliance. Oral appliances, specifically...
Burning mouth syndrome [BMS] is a chronic and challenging orofacial pain syndrome characterized by a persistent burning sensation in the oral mucosa, in the absence of specific oral lesions. It predominantly affects middle-aged and elderly women, often associated with...
Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. These natural processes respond primarily to light and dark and affect most living things, including animals, plants, and microbes. Biological clocks are organisms’ natural...
α1-adrenergic alpha receptors are G-Protein Coupled Receptors that are involved in neurotransmission and regulate the sympathetic nervous system through binding and activating the neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, and the neurohormone, epinephrine. This receptor plays...
Oral lichen planus is an immune-mediated disease with unknown etiology. Its clinical presentation waxes and wanes, and its severity goes from symptomatic oral erosions with erythema to asymptomatic white striations. The locations of these clinical signs are more...
The indomethacin-responsive headache disorders consist of a group of conditions with a particularly good response to indomethacin. Two of the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias are included, which are hemicrania continua and paroxysmal hemicrania. Other conditions are...
Trigeminal Neuralgia is an uncommon disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of lancinating pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution. Typically, brief attacks are triggered by talking, chewing, teeth brushing, shaving, a light touch, or even a cool...
