Differential Diagnostics of Pain in the Course of Trigeminal Neuralgia and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Table 1

Differential characteristics of pain in the course of trigeminal neuralgia and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Common features of pain in trigeminal neuralgia and temporomandibular joint dysfunctions	Differential characteristics of pain in the course of trigeminal neuralgia and temporomandibular joint dysfunction
	Trigeminal neuralgia	Temporomandibular joint dysfunctions
Increase in pain as a result of activity of facial or masticatory muscles	Unilateral location of pain (97%)	Bilateral pain
Possibility of pain being located on one side of the face	Characteristics of pain: acute and stabbing	Characteristics of pain: continuous and dull
Possibility of otolaryngological symptoms	Remission of the neuralgic pain during nights	Pain may still be present during the nights
Significant reduction in patients' quality of life and the development of depressive disorders	The duration of pain: very short, lasting several seconds to several minutes with long periods of remission during the day	The duration of pain: long-lasting (several hours) with short intermissions
Pain being radiated into the neighboring regions	Pain accompanied by facial muscle convulsions (tics), skin redness, lachrymation	Lack of such symptoms