Chronic Orofacial Pain “An Enigma Wrapped in a Riddle

Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for longer than three months and is associated with significant emotional distress or functional disability and that cannot be explained by another chronic condition. Headache is defined as pain occurring only or mainly above the orbitomeatal and/or nuchal ridge, whereas facial pain is defined as pain occurring mainly or exclusively under the orbitomeatal line, anterior to the pinnae and above the neck. Usually in chronic pain definition implies pain on a daily basis in the case of orofacial pain and headache chronicity is defined as pain occurring on more than 15 days per month and lasting for more than 4 hours daily for at least the last 3 months. This definition excludes the periodic short-lasting pains that often recur in the face and head, but are not essentially chronic. The article discusses about various presentations of the disease and aims to establish definite diagnostic guidelines and first line treatment options for these conditions.