JAW PAIN
The key to formulating a list of causes of jaw pain is anatomy.
Visualizing the area, one notes the skin, arteries, veins, nerves, salivary
glands, teeth, bone, and joints. These structures should prompt the recall
of the various causes of jaw pain as follows:
Skin: Cellulitis, herpes zoster, etc.
Arteries: Histamine cephalgia, migraine, etc.
Veins: Not usually a cause of jaw pain.
Nerves: Trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
Teeth: Dental caries, alveolar abscess, impacted wisdom teeth,
gingivitis, etc.
Bone: Osteomyelitis, fracture, bone tumors.
Salivary glands: Mumps, calculi, neoplasms.
Joints: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis
(RA).
Approach to the Diagnosis
Obviously, the history and physical examination will help to diagnose
many causes of jaw pain. If trigger points can be found, suspect trigeminal
neuralgia. A significant swelling would prompt the suspicion of cellulitis,
mumps, or an alveolar abscess. Swollen gums should raise the question of
gingivitis, periodontitis, or alveolar abscess. Malocclusion would suggest
TMJ syndrome.
A CBC, arthritis panel, and x-rays of the teeth, jaw, and TMJ may disclose
abnormalities. Referral to a dentist or oral surgeon is indicated if the
diagnosis is obscure after these studies are done. A magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) of the TMJ may need to be done to exclude the TMJ syndrome. If
all tests are negative, a psychiatric consult may be in order.
Book Source Details
- Book Title: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care
- Author(s): R. Douglas Collins MD, FACP
- Year of Publication: 2007
- Copyright Details: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, Copyright © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Other Book Chapters Related to Jaw pain
Read excerpts from these other book chapters related to Jaw pain:
Medical Books Excerpts
- JAW PAIN
- "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
- [ read ]
- Jaw pain
- "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Jaw pain
- "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Jaw pain
- "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Jaw pain
- "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Jaw pain
- "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
- [ read ]
- JAW PAIN
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
Copyright Details: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, Copyright © 2008 Williams & Wilkins.
More About Causes of Jaw pain
» Next page: TRISMUS (LOCK JAW) (Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
Rate This Website
What do you think about the features of this website?
Take our user survey and have your say:
Website User Survey
Medical Tools & Articles:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Forums & Message Boards
- Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
