Any type of pain can be distressing, especially if it is centered in your neck, jaw, mouth, or face. When you have pain above your shoulders, it can ruin your entire day. At the very least, it may put a damper on any fun plans or work activities. If you find yourself suffering from persistent head and neck pain, talk to Dr. Christy at Orchard Hill Dental. Dr. Christy is our resident board-certified orofacial pain specialist. As a result, she can help provide solutions to better your quality of life.
What Is Orofacial Pain (OFP)?
Orofacial pain (OFP) is a specialized field of dentistry that concentrates on diagnosing, managing, and treating a variety of pain disorders. An orofacial specialist like Dr. Christy will focus on pain that affects the jaw, mouth, face, head, and neck. As a diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain (ABOP), Dr. Christy has exceptional expertise and a high level of certification in this field.
With orofacial pain, it is not solely about toothaches or dental work. Orofacial pain specialists can deal with all types of pain disorders essentially above the shoulders. OFP specialists understand the underlying causes of your pain in order to treat and prevent it. They will utilize evidence-based approaches to develop a treatment plan to relieve your pain.
What Conditions Can Dr. Christy Treat?
Dr. Christy specializes in identifying and addressing various orofacial pain disorders. These issues can include:
Temporomandibular Muscle and Joint (TMJ) Disorders: TMJ issues can affect the muscles and joints that allow your jaw to move. With TMJ, you may feel a popping or clicking sound in the joint. Additionally, TMJ can create jaw pain or difficulty opening and closing your mouth. While TMJ issues can feel debilitating, Dr. Christy is well-equipped to diagnose and manage your pain.
Jaw Movement Disorders: Conditions that affect the movement of your jaw can lead to difficulties speaking, chewing, and even swallowing. Over time, these issues can worsen. However, Dr. Christy can offer solutions to reduce your discomfort.
Neuropathic and Neurovascular Pain Disorders: Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain that results from damage or dysfunction of the nervous system. With orofacial pain, you may feel shooting, burning, or electric shock-like sensations in your face, head, or neck. Neurovascular pain involves both the nervous system and the blood vessels. Conditions like migraines fall into this category.
Headaches: Chronic headaches, especially those that originate from the head and neck, can be incredibly disruptive. A bad headache can disrupt nearly every area of your life–from your daily routine to your sleep quality. Therefore, Dr. Christy will conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify the cause of your headaches.
Sleep Disorders: Orofacial pain can interfere with your sleep quality. For some people, facial pain can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. On the other hand, orofacial pain can lead to conditions like sleep apnea.
If you suffer from chronic orofacial pain, Dr. Christy’s extensive training and experience can alleviate your symptoms. Through state-of-the-art techniques, Dr. Christy can help restore your quality of life. You no longer need to endure constant pain and discomfort.