Secondary Hyperalgesia to Heat Stimuli Induced by Continuous Deep Pain: A Case Report

Abstract

Central sensitization represents a functional change of second order neuron induced by continuous deep pain input and maintained by psychosocial factors. When afferent neurons are involved with central sensitization, secondary hyperalgesia can appear. Secondary hyperalgesia is an increased sensitivity to stimulation without a local cause. Reports on secondary hyperalgesia to heat stimuli are relatively rare compared to mechanical stimuli. And there were few reports of secondary hyperalgesia to heat stimuli in the oral cavity. We presented a case of secondary hyperalgesia to heat stimuli in the gingival area induced by continuous odontogenic pain with a review of the related literature.