Atypical odontalgia misdiagnosed as odontogenic pain: A case report and discussion of treatment

Clinical Investigation of Patients Who Develop Neuropathic Tooth Pain After Endodontic Procedures

“…Clinically, NTP is manifested as a constant dull, burning, or deep ache that develops after dental procedures, despite the absence of any major pathologic findings (3)(4)(5). Although the condition has previously been termed atypical odontalgia (7,16) and PTP (6,10,19), recently it was proposed that this condition be considered a neuropathic pain condition (5,8,11,16).…”

“…Endodontic procedures are known to be related to the development of NTP (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)19). Lynch and Elgeneidy (9) reported that the incidence of NTP after endodontic procedures was higher than that after other dental treatments.…”

“…Clinically, neuropathic pain is characterized by partial or complete somatosensory change in the innervation territory of a specific part of the peripheral or central nervous system along with the paradoxical presence of pain and hypersensitivity phenomena (3,4). Several studies have reported that endodontic procedures are related to the development of neuropathic tooth pain (NTP) (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). NTP is also known as atypical odontalgia (7) and phantom tooth pain (PTP) (6,10).…”

“…NTP is also known as atypical odontalgia (7) and phantom tooth pain (PTP) (6,10). Some cases of chronic tooth pain related to endodontic procedures have been reported in which repeated dental treatments failed to provide pain relief (6)(7)(8). One study reported that the incidence of NTP after endodontic procedures was greater than that after any other dental treatment such as tooth extraction and trauma (9).…”

Iatrogenic Pulpal Injury Masquerading as Atypical Odontalgia

“…5 Cases of atypical odontalgia mimicking odontogenic pain with patient undergoing unnecessary treatment have been previously documented. 6 This article presents a case wherein iatrogenic pulpal injury mimicked atypical odontalgia.…”