Orofacial pain is a complex problem that can stem from many disorders.  To effectively manage a patient’s specific orofacial pain problem, a clinician must be able to diagnose the condition. Methods for treating orofacial pain vary according to the cause of the pain. Some types of orofacial pain may be treated with a combination of therapies.

Common treatment methods include:

• Dentistry. A variety of dental procedures are used to treat dental pain, including filling cavities and placing crowns over broken or decayed teeth.
  
  
• Medication. A variety of over–the–counter analgesics, anti-inflammatories, oral anesthetic gels and sprays, and other types of medications may be used to treat orofacial pain. Drugs available by prescription such as anticonvulsants (drugs that prevent or relieve convulsions) and antidepressants (drugs used to treat certain kinds of pain and depression) and triptans (drugs used to treat migraines) are also used. Some studies have found that injections of the anti-wrinkle treatment botulinum toxin A (Botox) can help relieve trigeminal neuralgia, migraines and other conditions.
  
  
• Injections.  Certain type of nerve blocks may provide relief of certain types of pain.  These are performed by specialist in pain management.
  
  
• Heat therapy and cold therapy. Applying cold with ice or other methods may reduce inflammation. Heat therapy relaxes muscles and reduces pain. These methods are frequently used to treat acute orofacial pain due to injuries.
  
  
• Electrical therapy. A common type of electrical therapy called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is sometimes used to treat orofacial pain caused by nerve conditions. Patients can be trained in physical therapy or occupational therapy to use TENS at home. Iontophoresis (use of electrical current to deliver medication through the skin to underlying tissues) targets a high concentration of a drug to a specific area and avoids toxic effects elsewhere in the body.
  
  
• Phonophoresis. Form of ultrasound therapy used to deliver medications such as analgesics and anti-inflammatories through the skin.
  
  
• Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). Some type of CAM treatments, such as acupuncture, acupressure or biofeedback, may be used to treat orofacial pain.
  
  
• Cognitive behavioral therapy. Treatment in which patients learn to replace negative though patterns with positive ones. This therapy may be useful in cases of chronic orofacial pain.
  
  
• Surgery. In rare cases, surgery may be needed to correct some types of nerve conditions, musculoskeletal problems and other disorders that cause orofacial pain.

Many types of orofacial pain cannot be prevented. Some types of orofacial pain caused by dental diseases can be avoided by practicing good dental hygiene such as regular tooth brushing and flossing. People can reduce their risk of orofacial trauma pain by practicing commonsense safety precautions, such as using seatbelts in cars and using appropriate headgear and mouth guards for contact sports.