1999 Volume 43 Issue 6 Pages 970-976
Trauma to the peripheral nervous system occurs during common dental treatment such as root canal treatment, periodontal surgery and tooth extraction. It has been reported that non-odontogenic continuous neuropathic pain occasionally appears after such invasive dental treatments (after pulpectomy, approx. 3-6% incidence). In this report, a case of neuropathic pain condition initiated by periodontal curettage is presented. The patient was a 56-year-old female who suffered from severe burning pain in the left maxillary molar alveolar area. No abnormal findings were observed by imaging examination of the central nervous system (magnetic resonance imaging and angiography). Results of clinical and radiographic examinations of the painful area were also negative. A tricyclic antidepressant, amitriptiline hydrochloride (5-20 mg/day) was prescribed and an intra-oral stent with a capsaicin (0.025 wt%) cream was applied to compress the painful area. These therapies substantially ameliorated her pain and insomnia.
