Clinical and theoretical observations on atypical facial pain

This paper examines patients with atypical facial pain. This condition forms part of the subject of oral medicine with patients being referred for pain relief. For the most part patients are unwilling to entertain the idea that their pain could have a psychological causation and it could be said that they are fixed to the physical nature of their condition. From a series of clinical observations it is proposed that the condition of atypical facial pain is not a homogenous entity despite the fact that the presenting symptom — pain — is common to all patients. To make a differentiation between cases it is necessary to identify the immediate cause and the psychical reactions to it.