Headaches in the Dental Office: A Patient's Guide to Understanding Facial Pain, Jaw Disorders, and Headache Connections

Table of Contents

• Key Points
• Why This Research Matters
• Primary vs. Secondary Headaches: Key Distinctions
• How This Review Was Conducted
• Migraine: More Than Just a Bad Headache
• Tension-Type Headache: The Most Common Headache Disorder
• Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (TACs): The Cluster Family
• Secondary Headaches: When Another Condition Causes the Pain
• Red Flags: When to Seek Emergency Care
• Facial Pain That Mimics Headaches
• What This Means for Patients and Clinicians
• Study Limitations
• Recommendations for Patients
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Source Information

Key Points

• Headaches and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have a bidirectional relationship; treating both together leads to better outcomes.
• Migraine is diagnosed after at least 5 episodes with features like unilateral pulsating pain, moderate/severe intensity, and aggravation by activity.
• Tension-type headache is common, with bilateral pressing pain not aggravated by activity; treatment includes NSAIDs and preventive antidepressants.
• 20% to 35% of TAC patients with facial pain had unnecessary dental treatments before correct diagnosis, so ruling out headache disorders is critical.
• Red flags for urgent care include thunderclap headache, fever, neurologic deficit, first headache after age 50, trauma, or pregnancy-related onset.

Why This Research Matters

Headaches are one of the most common health conditions worldwide. According to global estimates, 52% of the world's population experienced a headache in the past year. Two types dominate the statistics: tension-type headache (TTH) and migraine, which are the most prevalent forms.

But here's what makes this topic especially relevant for dental patients: researchers have found a significant and consistent overlap between temporomandibular disorders (TMD)—conditions affecting the jaw joint and chewing muscles—and headaches. If you have headaches, you may be at higher risk of developing TMD. Conversely, if you have TMD, it can influence how often your headaches occur and how intense they become.

This bidirectional relationship means that managing both conditions together is essential for achieving better treatment outcomes. The authors of this review emphasize that dental care clinicians, other healthcare practitioners, and patients all benefit when orofacial pain, headaches, and TMD are recognized as interconnected conditions rather than separate problems.

Primary vs. Secondary Headaches: Key Distinctions

Understanding the difference between primary and secondary headaches is crucial for proper diagnosis and management. Primary headaches are independent disorders—they are not caused by an underlying disease. Secondary headaches result from an underlying condition that is known to cause headache, such as a brain tumor, bleeding, infection, neck or jaw problems, or head trauma.

Patients can experience multiple headache types simultaneously, including both primary and secondary headaches. For example, a person with a history of migraine (a primary headache) may later develop medication-overuse headache (a secondary headache) from taking too many pain relievers.

This review is based primarily on two established classification systems: the International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third Edition (ICHD-3) for headache diagnoses, and the International Classification of Orofacial Pain (ICOP) for orofacial pain diagnoses. Management recommendations follow guidelines from the European Academy of Neurology.

How This Review Was Conducted

This is what medical researchers call a narrative review—a comprehensive overview that synthesizes information from existing scientific literature. The authors drew on established classification systems and high-quality scientific evidence, using the ICHD-3 and ICOP classifications as key resources.

The ICHD-3 was developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization and based on the International Classification of Diseases, 11th revision. It was built on high-quality evidence and expert consensus. Similarly, the ICOP was created through expert consensus with input from several prestigious organizations, including:

• The Orofacial and Head Pain Special Interest Group of the International Association for the Study of Pain
• The International Network for Orofacial Pain and Related Disorders Methodology
• The American Academy of Orofacial Pain
• The International Headache Society

To examine the overlap between headache and TMD, the authors used data from a systematic review by Réus and colleagues, which followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. They also performed targeted literature searches in the PubMed and Scopus databases using keywords such as "headache," "temporomandibular disorder," "TMD," "orofacial pain," and "comorbidity."

The search was limited to English-language, peer-reviewed studies involving humans. All study designs—including observational studies, experimental studies, and reviews—were considered if they were clinically relevant to the relationship between headache and TMD. Headache management guidance was adapted from the European Academy of Neurology, which used a rigorous evidence-based approach to ensure patient-centered recommendations.

Migraine: More Than Just a Bad Headache

Migraine is the third most prevalent disorder globally and the seventh leading cause of disability, with consistently high rates of years lived with disability over time. This is not merely an uncomfortable condition—it is a major public health issue that affects quality of life on a massive scale.

Who Gets Migraine?

Approximately one-third of migraine patients experience aura, which refers to reversible focal neurologic symptoms that occur before the headache begins. Among those who experience aura, 90% report visual disturbances, making this the most common type. Other aura types include sensory, verbal, and motor symptoms, and some patients may experience multiple aura types.

Migraine prevalence is 2 to 3 times higher in women than in men during reproductive years. A subset of women experiences menstrual migraine, with attacks peaking near menstruation. This is largely attributed to the rapid premenstrual drop in estrogen—often called the "estrogen withdrawal hypothesis"—which affects pain modulation and promotes the release of calcitonin gene–related peptides (CGRPs) and prostaglandins.

How Migraine Is Diagnosed

For a diagnosis of migraine, a patient must have had at least 5 episodes and at least 2 of the following 4 characteristics:

1. Unilateral head pain (pain on one side of the head)
2. Pulsating pain quality
3. Moderate or severe intensity pain
4. Pain aggravated by routine physical activity (such as walking or climbing stairs)

In addition, another ICHD-3 diagnosis must not better explain the headaches. Conditions that can mimic migraine include tension-type headache, cluster headache, acute glaucoma, sinus pathology, carotid artery dissection, temporal arteritis, and other pathologies causing raised intracranial pressure.

Migraine Treatment Options

Treatment falls into two main categories: abortive (stopping an attack in progress) and prophylactic (preventing future attacks).

Abortive treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or diclofenac; paracetamol/acetaminophen; acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin); and triptans.

Prophylactic (preventive) treatments include:

• Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol, atenolol, bisoprolol)
• Anticonvulsants (e.g., topiramate, valproic acid)
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (e.g., candesartan)

Newer medications are showing promise. Monoclonal CGRP antibodies and CGRP receptor blockers seem promising for migraine prevention. Researchers have found that botulinum neurotoxin type A (Botox) has been effective for chronic migraine prevention, although it has not shown substantial benefit over placebo in episodic migraine cases.

Some dietary supplements—including magnesium, riboflavin, and coenzyme Q10—have been studied for migraine prevention, with preliminary evidence suggesting potential benefits. However, official migraine guidelines do not endorse them, as supporting evidence remains limited and inconsistent across studies.

Nonpharmacologic approaches, including neuromodulation, cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and relaxation techniques, offer potential benefit as add-on treatments to medication. These strategies may reduce medication use and support multidisciplinary care, although evidence remains limited.

Tension-Type Headache: The Most Common Headache Disorder

Tension-type headache (TTH) is the second most prevalent disorder worldwide. In a population-based study, 87% of participants reported experiencing TTH within the past year. The overall lifetime prevalence is 78%, and it is higher in women (88%) than in men (69%).

TTH prevalence peaks between ages 30 and 39 years for both men (42.3%) and women (46.9%). This means that a substantial portion of working-age adults—a demographic that includes many dental patients—actively deals with this condition.

How TTH Is Diagnosed

For a diagnosis of tension-type headache, a patient must have had at least 10 episodes and at least 2 of the following 4 characteristics:

1. Bilateral head pain (pain on both sides of the head)
2. Pressing or tightening pain quality (non-pulsating, often described as a band or vice around the head)
3. Mild or moderate intensity
4. Pain not aggravated by routine physical activity

Compared with migraine, TTH may be considered a "featureless" headache because it lacks the distinctive nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound that commonly accompany migraine.

Chronic TTH is defined as occurring 15 or more days per month for at least 3 months, while episodic TTH occurs fewer than 14 days per month.

Treating Tension-Type Headaches

Abortive treatment includes NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac), paracetamol/acetaminophen, and acetylsalicylic acid. Prophylactic treatment includes certain antidepressants: amitriptyline, venlafaxine, and mirtazapine.

There is generally limited evidence to support nonpharmacologic treatments for TTH specifically. However, patient education, trigger avoidance, behavioral therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lifestyle changes (such as proper hydration, diet, and sleep habits) have shown beneficial effects for patients.

Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (TACs): The Cluster Family

Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) are a family of headache disorders that include cluster headache, paroxysmal hemicrania, short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks, and hemicrania continua. These conditions share similar clinical features and are characterized by severe, one-sided pain accompanied by autonomic symptoms.

TACs are much rarer than migraine or tension-type headache. The estimated 1-year prevalence for these conditions is:

• Cluster headache: 0.02% to 0.1% of the population
• Paroxysmal hemicrania: approximately 0.05% of the population
• Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing: approximately 0.1% of the population

These are uncommon conditions, but they are highly relevant to dental practice for an important reason: the pain from TACs can radiate to the upper and lower jaw areas (maxillary and mandibular regions), leading to a misdiagnosis of dental pathology or TMD. This is not merely theoretical—the literature confirms that 20% to 35% of patients with TAC who experience facial pain have undergone unnecessary dental treatments before receiving the correct diagnosis.

Diagnostic Features of TACs

Common features of TACs (as detailed in the review's Table 1) include:

• Unilateral head pain, typically in the orbital, supraorbital, or temporal regions
• Sharp and stabbing pain of severe intensity
• At least one associated autonomic symptom on the same side of the pain, such as:
  • Conjunctival injection (redness of the eye)
  • Lacrimation (tearing)
  • Nasal congestion or runny nose
  • Ptosis (drooping eyelid) or miosis (constricted pupil)
  • Forehead and facial sweating
  • Eyelid edema (swelling)

Duration and frequency differ among the TAC subtypes. Cluster headache attacks last 15 to 180 minutes and occur from once every 2 days to 8 times per day. Paroxysmal hemicrania attacks last 2 to 30 minutes and occur more than 5 times per day, with a complete response to indomethacin (an NSAID). Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks last 1 to 600 seconds and occur at least once per day. Hemicrania continua is present for at least 3 months with exacerbations in intensity, and also responds absolutely to indomethacin.

Managing TACs

Cluster headache abortive treatment includes oxygen therapy and subcutaneous sumatriptan. Prophylactic treatment includes verapamil, topiramate, lithium, and greater occipital nerve blocks. Corticosteroids can be used for episodic cluster headache as a transitional therapy (for example, while waiting for verapamil to take effect), but long-term use is not recommended due to the adverse effects of prolonged steroid use.

Indomethacin is the primary prophylactic treatment for paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua, and its effectiveness also serves as a key diagnostic feature—such a response is not seen in migraine or other TACs. If gastrointestinal side effects occur, proton pump inhibitors can be prescribed at the same time; alternatively, greater occipital nerve blocks and COX-2 inhibitors (a type of NSAID) can be used.

For short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks, lamotrigine is the mainstay treatment, followed by gabapentin and topiramate.

Secondary Headaches: When Another Condition Causes the Pain

Secondary headaches arise from an underlying condition known to cause headache, such as a brain tumor, bleeding, infection, neck or jaw pain, or head trauma. The review focuses on two secondary headaches frequently observed in patients with orofacial pain: headache attributed to TMD (HATMD) and medication-overuse headache (MOH).

Headache Attributed to TMD (HATMD)

Headache attributed to TMD (HATMD) is a headache caused by temporomandibular disorder and is usually modified by jaw function or parafunction such as bruxism (teeth grinding). This type of headache is usually bilateral (affecting both sides of the head) and pressing in quality.

In a retrospective study, researchers found that patients with HATMD exhibited not only a greater number of painful sites in the head and neck regions, but also greater intensity of TMD pain compared with TMD patients without headaches.

Diagnostic criteria for HATMD: A diagnosis corresponds to any headache with at least 2 of the following 3 causation criteria:

1. Headache aggravated by jaw motion, jaw function (such as chewing), or jaw parafunction (such as bruxism)
2. Headache developed in temporal relation to the onset of the TMD, or led to its discovery
3. Headache provoked by palpation of the temporalis muscle (a major chewing muscle on the side of the head) or passive movement of the jaw, with the headache affecting chewing structures on one or both sides

It can be debated whether HATMD is a separate entity or simply a painful TMD experienced in the temporalis muscle.

Treatment: To our knowledge, there are no randomized controlled trials specifically assessing the management of HATMD. However, it is generally recommended that the underlying TMD be managed, as this is thought to be the original cause. Since researchers have found that HATMD is most likely pain in the temporalis muscle, treatment can be particularly directed at that muscle—for example, with therapeutic injections or physical therapy.

Medication-Overuse Headache (MOH)

Medication-overuse headache is defined as a headache occurring on 15 or more days per month in a patient with a preexisting primary headache, and it develops because of overuse of medication used to treat the symptoms of the underlying headache. The prevalence of MOH in the general population is 1% to 2%.

The specific drugs that contribute to MOH have varied over time and across different regions. Key limits for medication use to avoid this condition are:

• Ergotamine, triptans, opioids, and combination analgesics: no more than 9 days per month
• Simple analgesics such as paracetamol/acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and acetylsalicylic acid: no more than 14 days per month

Management: The cornerstone of MOH management is stopping the overused medication, combined with education and counseling. A randomized controlled trial suggested that there is no difference between starting withdrawal of the medication and starting preventive treatment at the same time, versus preventive treatment without withdrawal, versus starting withdrawal and later adding preventive treatment.

It is recommended that patients diagnosed with MOH be managed with a multidisciplinary approach, including neurologists or pain specialists and behavioral psychologists. Emerging evidence indicates that combining anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies with traditional pharmacologic treatments may offer improved outcomes compared with using either strategy alone.

Red Flags: When to Seek Emergency Care

Beyond the headaches discussed above, there are certain symptoms that imply higher urgency and require immediate specialist referral or emergency care because of the risk of malignancy or life-threatening conditions. Based on research by Do and colleagues, the following are warning signs of secondary headaches:

• Unexplained systemic symptoms, including fever
• Neoplasm and history of malignancy (cancer)
• Neurologic deficit, including decreased consciousness or dysfunction
• Abrupt or sudden onset of headaches (often described as "thunderclap")
• First headache onset at age 50 years or older
• Headache that has changed pattern or is of recent onset
• Headache modified by changes in head position
• Headache triggered by exercise, coughing, or sneezing
• Presence of papilledema (swelling of the optic disc, seen on eye examination)
• Progressive headaches and nontypical presentation
• Headache onset during pregnancy or the postpartum period
• Autonomic symptoms and a painful eye
• Headache onset after physical trauma to the head
• Immune system disease, such as HIV, potentially related to opportunistic infections
• New medication at headache onset, or overuse of painkillers—drug incompatibility may be present

If you experience any of these warning signs along with a headache, you should seek emergency medical care promptly.

Facial Pain That Mimics Headaches

The ICOP classification identifies a family of diagnoses where facial pain occurs without any head pain, but has characteristics similar to primary headaches. These conditions are uncommon, and there is limited scientific information about them. However, they are extremely relevant in dental practice because they can lead to confusion with dental conditions.

Orofacial Migraine

Orofacial migraine is pain exclusively in the orofacial region (the face, mouth, and jaw) without head pain, but with the characteristics and associated features of migraine described in the ICHD-3.

The numbers tell an important story: 58 out of 1,176 patients (4.9%) with migraine had migraines manifesting as isolated facial pain. Of these, 84.5% of the pain was localized in the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve (V2) territory (the cheek area), followed by 10.3% in both the maxillary and mandibular branches (V2-V3) (cheek and jaw area), and 5% in the mandibular branch (V3) only (jaw area). Additionally, research shows that patients with migraine and facial pain experience more trigeminal autonomic symptoms (such as tearing, eye redness, or nasal congestion) than those without facial pain.

Diagnostic criteria: For a diagnosis of orofacial migraine, a patient must have had at least 5 episodes with at least 2 of the following 4 characteristics:

1. Unilateral location
2. Pulsating pain quality
3. Moderate or severe intensity
4. Aggravation by routine physical activity

Treatment: There are no randomized clinical trials testing treatment specifically for orofacial migraine. However, several case series have found that patients with orofacial migraine respond well to triptans, and that prophylactic medications such as beta-blockers, topiramate, and valproic acid can lead to significant reduction in attack frequency. It is recommended that both abortive and prophylactic treatment recommendations for migraine be followed when it comes to orofacial migraine.

Trigeminal Autonomic Orofacial Pain

Trigeminal autonomic orofacial pain consists of attacks of pain exclusively in the orofacial region without head pain, but with the characteristics and associated features of the TAC disorders described in the ICHD-3. According to several studies, these attacks usually occur in the midfacial, mandibular, and intraoral sites.

Treatment: Orofacial cluster attacks respond well to abortive medications such as oxygen and triptans, and to prophylactic medications such as prednisolone and verapamil. These conditions appear to respond similarly to their headache counterparts and should therefore be managed according to TAC guidelines.

Neurovascular Orofacial Pain

Neurovascular orofacial pain is usually distinguishable from orofacial migraine by its pain location and pain quality. A total of 23 out of 328 patients (7%) with orofacial pain received a diagnosis of neurovascular orofacial pain, and the pain location was reported mostly in the oral and perioral region (inside and around the mouth)—a finding supported by another study.

For diagnosis, there must have been at least 5 episodes of facial pain with the characteristic features shown in the review's Table 3.

What This Means for Patients and Clinicians

The overlap between headaches and TMD is clinically significant and bidirectional. Headaches may increase the risk of developing TMD, and conversely, TMD can influence headache frequency and intensity. This creates a clinical reality where treating one condition without addressing the other may lead to suboptimal outcomes.

The authors emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary management and a thorough diagnostic approach to enhance treatment outcomes for patients with concurrent headaches and TMD. For dental care clinicians and other healthcare practitioners, recognizing the intersection of orofacial pain, headaches, and TMD is crucial. This understanding promotes better diagnosis, encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, and is the best approach to improved patient care and treatment outcomes.

Perhaps the most striking patient-relevant statistic is this: among patients with TACs who experience facial pain, 20% to 35% have undergone unnecessary dental treatments before receiving a correct diagnosis. This highlights the importance of ruling out headache disorders before proceeding with invasive dental procedures, especially when pain presentation is atypical.

Study Limitations

Several limitations should be acknowledged when interpreting the findings of this review:

• This is a narrative review rather than a systematic review, meaning that the selection and interpretation of studies involves expert judgment and may not capture the entirety of available evidence.
• There are no randomized controlled trials assessing the management of HATMD specifically, so treatment recommendations rely on clinical experience and extrapolation from related conditions.
• For orofacial migraine and related facial presentations, there are no randomized clinical trials testing treatment efficacy; evidence comes from case series and observational studies, which provide a lower level of evidence.
• The conditions described as "orofacial pain resembling manifestations of primary headache" are not common, and there is little scientific information regarding them, limiting the strength of any conclusions about their diagnosis and management.
• Evidence supporting nonpharmacologic approaches for both migraine and TTH remains limited and heterogeneous, which is why official guidelines do not yet strongly endorse them.

Recommendations for Patients

Based on this review, here are actionable recommendations for patients who experience headaches, facial pain, or both:

1. If you have both headaches and jaw pain, tell your dental provider about both. Because headache and TMD are bidirectional conditions, treating only one may not fully resolve your symptoms. Your dentist or doctor should evaluate both.
2. Track your medication use carefully. If you are taking pain relievers for headache, be aware of the threshold limits: triptans, opioids, and combination analgesics should not be used more than 9 days per month, and simple analgesics such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin should not be used more than 14 days per month. Exceeding these limits can cause medication-overuse headache—a treatable but often missed condition.
3. Be aware of "red flag" symptoms. Sudden severe headache, headache with fever, headache after head trauma, first headache after age 50, headache with neurologic symptoms (weakness, confusion), or headache associated with pregnancy requires immediate medical attention.
4. If your facial pain persists despite dental treatment, consider that the pain may not be dental in origin. Ask your dentist about the possibility of a headache disorder presenting as facial pain, and seek evaluation by a specialist in orofacial pain, a neurologist, or a headache specialist.
5. For migraine and tension-type headache, follow your provider's treatment plan. This may include abortive medications for acute attacks and prophylactic medications—such as beta-blockers, topiramate, or antidepressants—for prevention. Lifestyle factors including hydration, diet, sleep, stress management, and trigger avoidance can also play a significant role.
6. If you have TMD-related headache, treatment directed at the jaw muscles may help. Since headache attributed to TMD appears to be pain originating in the temporalis muscle, treatments targeting this muscle—including physical therapy and therapeutic injections—may be beneficial in addition to standard TMD management.
7. Do not hesitate to seek a second opinion. The high rate (20%–35%) of unnecessary dental treatments in patients with certain headache disorders underscores the value of a thorough diagnostic evaluation before proceeding with invasive or irreversible dental procedures.

Ultimately, this review reinforces that headache disorders, orofacial pain, and temporomandibular disorders exist on a shared clinical spectrum. The best outcomes are achieved when dental professionals, physicians, and patients work together to identify the true source of pain and develop a comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can jaw problems (TMD) cause headaches?

Yes, the relationship between headaches and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is bidirectional. Headaches may increase the risk of developing TMD, and TMD can influence how often headaches occur and how intense they become. Treating only one condition may lead to suboptimal outcomes, so both should be evaluated together by your dentist or doctor.

What is medication-overuse headache and how can I avoid it?

Medication-overuse headache occurs when you have a preexisting primary headache and overuse headache medications, typically on 15 or more days per month. To avoid it, limit triptans, opioids, and combination analgesics to no more than 9 days per month, and simple analgesics like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to no more than 14 days per month.

When should I seek emergency care for a headache?

Seek emergency care for sudden severe or thunderclap headaches, headaches with fever, neurologic symptoms like weakness or confusion, first headache after age 50, headache after head trauma, headache during pregnancy, or headache triggered by exercise, coughing, or sneezing. Also be alert for headaches with a painful eye or papilledema, and in people with cancer or immune system disease.

Can facial pain without head pain actually be a migraine?

Yes, a condition called orofacial migraine causes pain exclusively in the face, mouth, or jaw without head pain, but with migraine characteristics. In one study, 4.9% of migraine patients had isolated facial pain, most commonly in the cheek area. These patients respond to triptans and migraine preventive medications, so correct diagnosis matters.

What are trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) and why are they important in dental care?

TACs are a rare family of headache disorders causing severe, one-sided pain with autonomic symptoms like tearing or nasal congestion. Their pain can radiate to the jaw, leading to misdiagnosis as dental problems. In fact, 20% to 35% of TAC patients with facial pain underwent unnecessary dental treatments before correct diagnosis.

What are the treatment options for migraine?

Abortive treatments stop an attack in progress and include NSAIDs like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, and triptans. Prophylactic treatments prevent future attacks and include beta-blockers, topiramate, valproic acid, and candesartan. Botulinum toxin A is effective for chronic migraine prevention. Monoclonal CGRP antibodies and CGRP receptor blockers appear promising for prevention.

When should a patient with facial pain and headaches seek a second opinion before undergoing dental treatment?

Facial pain can be caused by headache disorders rather than dental problems. If pain persists despite dental treatment, or if attacks are severe, one-sided, and accompanied by eye redness, tearing, or nasal congestion, a headache disorder should be ruled out. Among patients with trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias who had facial pain, 20%–35% received unnecessary dental treatments before a correct diagnosis. Red flags such as sudden thunderclap headache, fever, or neurologic symptoms require emergency care, not a dental opinion. Diagnostic Detectives Network provides independent expert second opinions.

Source Information

Original article title: Headaches in dental practice

Authors: Nicole Renner, DDS; Shuting Yang, DDS; Yuri M. Costa, DDS, MSc, PhD; Peter Svensson, DDS, PhD, Dr odont; Fernando G. Exposto, DDS, MSc, PhD

Journal: JADA (Journal of the American Dental Association), 2025;156(9):750-761

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2025.06.010

Key resources referenced: International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third Edition (ICHD-3); International Classification of Orofacial Pain (ICOP); European Academy of Neurology management guidelines

Access: This is an open-access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Note: This patient-friendly article is based on peer-reviewed research. It is intended for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition.