Atypical Odontalgia
Pronunciation: ay-TIP-ih-kul od-on-TAL-juh
Also written as: AO — Atypical Odontalgia
A chronic neuropathic pain condition presenting as persistent toothache or pain in a tooth socket following dental treatment, in the absence of identifiable dental pathology.
Full Definition
Atypical odontalgia (AO), now classified within the ICOP as 'persistent dentoalveolar pain disorder', is characterised by continuous, moderate-to-severe pain localised to teeth or alveolar bone with no demonstrable dental or radiographic cause. It is considered a form of peripheral sensitisation or deafferentation pain, often precipitated or exacerbated by dental procedures. The condition is frequently misdiagnosed as odontogenic pain, leading to unnecessary extractions or root canal treatments. Editors should note that 'atypical odontalgia' remains widely used in the literature despite the newer ICOP terminology, and both terms may need to be cross-referenced in glossaries and indexing.
Usage
Usage note: When editing papers for journals that use ICOP taxonomy, flag 'atypical odontalgia' and suggest adding the ICOP synonym 'persistent dentoalveolar pain disorder' at first use.
In Context
- "Atypical odontalgia was suspected when the patient's tooth pain persisted despite two root canal treatments and normal periapical radiographs." — Oral medicine case presentation
- "The review distinguishes atypical odontalgia from pulpitis by the absence of clinical and radiographic dental pathology." — Systematic review introduction