Pulpalgia contributing to temporomandibular disorder-like pain: A literature review and case report

Background. Dentists need to be cognizant that temporomandibular disorder (TMD) -like pain can be caused by a tooth pulpalgia. The author provides suggestive symptom characteristics and definitive diagnostic techniques. Case Description. A patient had severe bilateral TMD-like pain, which increased when something cold touched a premolar and when the patient lay down, and which awakened her several times every night. The author identified the offending tooth and administered a ligamentary injection along the tooth, which eliminated her bilateral TMD-like pain. Occlusal adjustment of her tooth reduced her pain, and subsequent endodontic therapy eliminated her pain. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of a pulpalgia in a posterior tooth causing bilateral TMD-like pain. Clinical Implications. Pulpalgia may cause symptoms that mimic TMD or may contribute to TMD signs and symptoms. When patients with TMD-like pain report feeling increased pain due to a cold stimulus' coming into contact with a tooth, practitioners should ensure that a pulpalgia is not contributing to their pain.