HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

J Am Dent Assoc, Vol 131, No 9, 1307-1315. © 2000 American Dental Association

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by WRIGHT, E. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by WRIGHT, E. F. Related Collections Endodontics

Background. Referred pain is prevalent in the craniofacial region, and it would be helpful for dental practitioners to have drawings delineating regions with a high probability for a patient’s referred pain source.

Methods. The author applied firm pressure for approximately five seconds to trigger points, nodules of spot tenderness, and selected masticatory structures within the head and neck region on 230 patients with temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. As firm pressure was being applied, subjects were asked whether pain was developing or intensifying in a location different than that being palpated.

Results. One hundred ninety-six subjects (85 percent) reported that referred pain was being generated. The cheek area, ear and forehead were the most frequently reported sites of referred pain generation; palpation over the trapezius muscle, lateral pterygoid area and masseter muscle were the most common sources of referred pain to the craniofacial region. The author provides figures displaying common referred pain sites and their sources.

Conclusions. Patients with TMD often report referred craniofacial pain arising from palpation of the head and neck region. The author found that the pattern between referred pain source and site was consistent and predictable.

Practice Implications. Practitioners should consider craniofacial pain’s propensity for referral when treating patients with TMD. Practitioners can use the figures presented to determine regions of high probability for a patient’s referred pain source.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R.C. Chen, A.S. Khorsandi, D.R. Shatzkes, and R.A. Holliday The Radiology of Referred Otalgia AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., November 1, 2009; 30(10): 1817 - 1823. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. de LEEUW, G. D. KLASSER, and R. J.C. ALBUQUERQUE Are female patients with orofacial pain medically compromised? J Am Dent Assoc, April 1, 2005; 136(4): 459 - 468. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Quinn, C. Chandler, and A. Moraska Massage Therapy and Frequency of Chronic Tension Headaches Am J Public Health, October 1, 2002; 92(10): 1657 - 1661. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]