What Makes an Orofacial Pain Specialist Different from a General Dentist?

General dentists have many skills in their armamentarium to not only relieve pain but also repair and replace disease dentition to natural form and function. These invaluable services offered by general dentists are essential in providing overall health and well-being to the patient population.

The American Academy of Orofacial Pain Aim and Purpose is to establish acceptable criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders. To stress the significant incidence of orofacial pain problems for both medical and dental professions. To provide a base for annual meetings for the dissemination of research and treatment for orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders.
To support the Journal of Orofacial Pain stressing research and current studies on orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders. To encourage and stress the study of orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders at undergraduate and postgraduate levels of dental education. To provide a common meeting ground for world wide authorities on orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders. To encourage hospitals and dental schools to establish centers for treatment of orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders. To encourage research and evaluation of equipment and procedures.