What Is Referred Pain?

There are no nerve fibers inside the teeth that sense touch (proprioception). This sense is located in the tissues surrounding the tooth (the periodontal ligament).

As long as an inflammatory condition in a tooth does not spread beyond the tooth, its exact location may not be identifiable, and likewise, in acute inflammatory conditions of the teeth, the patient may not be able to pinpoint the tooth.

In teeth with advanced decay that need root canal treatment, the patient often does not know which tooth hurts when the pain first begins.

The patient may not be able to tell whether the pain comes from the lower or upper jaw. Pain that is referred between the jaws occurs especially with the back teeth.

Pain generally does not cross the midline of the face.

Pain from the lower back teeth can radiate to the ear area. Pain from the back teeth can be referred to the front area.

Sinusitis pain can be felt in the upper back teeth.

Joint pain can be referred to the lower and upper back teeth.

Migraine pain and trigeminal neuralgia pain can be referred to the teeth.

Diagnosis is generally made through examination and radiographic methods together with tooth vitality tests (electric pulp test, thermal tests, etc.). To avoid this kind of pain, you should go for regular check-ups, and decayed teeth should be restored through early diagnosis so that teeth are brought back to health without needing root canal treatment.