Orofacial pain
Complex chronic facial pain that doesn't fit a clean diagnosis. Coordinated, careful evaluation across specialties.
Conditions and patterns we evaluate.
Orofacial pain is an umbrella term. The specific conditions vary, but the experience is often similar: chronic, multi-factor, and not improving with the usual approaches.
- Chronic facial pain that doesn't fit a clean diagnosis
- Trigeminal nerve pain or atypical facial pain patterns
- Burning mouth or burning tongue symptoms
- Persistent post-dental-treatment pain
- Pain after dental work that hasn't resolved
- Complex TMJ disorders with multiple symptoms
- Pain paired with sleep, mood, or autonomic symptoms
- Some orofacial pain conditions need coordinated care with neurology, ENT, or pain medicine. We make that a built-in part of the plan.
How we approach complex pain.
There is rarely a single fix. We work in layers, starting with the most likely contributors and adjusting based on what the body responds to.
- 01
Comprehensive evaluation
Extended consultation, full diagnostic workup, and a clear written summary of what we think is going on and why.
- 02
Regenerative injections
Prolotherapy and PRF are options for select cases where supporting healing in joint or soft tissue is appropriate.
- 03
Trigger point and SPG blocks
Targeted in-office treatments for specific pain patterns and nerve-driven contributions.
- 04
Custom orthotics
For pain patterns connected to bite, jaw position, or muscle load, an orthotic may be part of the long-term plan.
- 05
Coordination with other specialists
Complex orofacial pain rarely lives in one specialty. We work with neurologists, ENTs, pain medicine, and PT as needed.
Treatment plans are built around what each patient actually needs. Not every option above is right for every person. The consultation and diagnostic visit are where we figure out which ones fit you.
The diagnostic tools we use.
Complex pain deserves a careful look. The tools below let us examine the joint, the muscles, and the airway together.
3D CBCT imaging
Cone-beam CT reveals jaw joints, airway, and bone in three dimensions. No outside referral needed.
BioJVA joint analysis
Non-invasive joint vibration analysis records how the TMJ actually moves under load.
Cold laser therapy
Low-level laser therapy is used during care to support soft-tissue healing.
Intraoral 3D scanning
Digital impressions produce precise records for custom oral orthotics.
Dr. Larson on complex pain.
Why this is rarely treated well
Why one joint causes so many symptoms
Common questions
Orofacial pain is an umbrella term for chronic pain in the face, mouth, and jaw that doesn't fit a clean dental or medical diagnosis. It can involve the nerves, the muscles, the joints, or all three. It often requires coordinated care across specialties.
Often, yes. Many of the patients we work with have been told 'nothing's wrong' or have cycled through providers without improvement. The consultation visit is where we figure out together whether what we do is a good fit for what you're dealing with.
Most general dentists are trained in restorative dentistry. Orofacial pain is a separate body of knowledge. The combination of dental, joint, airway, and neurological understanding is what makes specialty care different.
Orofacial pain care at our practice is primarily fee-for-service. Cherry financing is available. We can help you understand what your medical insurance may cover, but we don't bill it directly.
Ready to find out what's actually going on?
Tell us a little about what you're experiencing. Our team will be in touch to schedule a consultation.