What treatments are available for atypical face pain, atypical odontalgia and burning mouth syndrome?
Simply to have an accurate diagnosis and some understanding of the condition leaves many people much better able to cope with their pain. Treatment is based on drugs, often supported by “pain management techniques” (see below). There is no surgical solution to these problems. Your specialist will advise you on what is best in your particular case. What drugs are used? The most frequently prescribed drugs are antidepressants. These are not prescribed because it is felt that you are necessarily depressed, but because these drugs are now known to have a specific effect on certain forms of chronic pain. If the pain has made you depressed then they will of course help that problem too. The most commonly used medicines are amitriptyline, nortriptyline and fluoxetine (Prozac). These drugs will often need to be taken for several months before they become fully effective, and they may need to be taken for a year if they are to be of lasting benefit. These are safe drugs that very seldom have se
