Gary Klasser DMD, Cert. Orofacial Pain
Associate Professor
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
School of Dentistry
Division of Diagnostic Sciences
1100 Florida Avenue, Box 140
New Orleans, LA 70119
"Neuropathic Pain for Endodontists"
Saturday, January 21, 2012
10:00 am
International Academy of Endodontics, Annual Meeting
The Fairmont Hotel
Dallas, Texas
Abstract:
Endodontists are routinely asked to diagnose and treat pain of presumed dental origin. Typically, the nature of the most common types of dental (periodontal and/or endodontic) pain is due to inflammatory processes. If dental pain of endodontic origin is a consideration, then it is often resolved by dental treatment including non-surgical and/or surgical endodontic procedures. However, some patients continue to report persistent pain in the dentition or adjacent areas even though successful clinical and radiographic criteria are met. These individuals may be suffering from a category of pain referred to as “neuropathic pain”. In these circumstances, it is important for the endodontist to recognize, differentially diagnose and then to understand the various management strategies related to this condition. This will be of great benefit and assistance to both the endodontist and their patients.
Learning objectives:
1. To understand the differences between nociceptive and neuropathic pain.
2. To recognize the characteristics of neuropathic pain.
3. To develop a differential diagnosis for neuropathic pain.
4. To understand the management strategies utilized for patients experiencing neuropathic pain.
------