Experiences from a facial pain unit.

During the academic year 1988/1989, 282 patients with chronic orofacial pain were referred to the facial pain unit of the University of Helsinki; 143 of these patients were suffering mainly of orofacial dysesthesia and 139 patients of masticatory dysfunction. Thirty-six of the patients with orofacial dysesthesia were referred for a psychiatric consultation. The result revealed a strong mental disturbance component associated with this kind of pain disorder. The patients with orofacial dysesthesia were treated mostly with amitriptyline, clonazepam, and distigmin; the patients with masticatory dysfunction were treated with splints and/or occlusal rehabilitation.