This is no chilling story that will send shivers down your spine but can certainly unnerve you with a niggling ache from a missing tooth. Well, that is what phantom tooth pain is all about.
The tooth is conspicuous by its physical absence, but its presence can still be felt through pain. Though it is missing from its place, its ache returns to haunt the human body. Causing such an eerie sensation in the jaw region from where a tooth was earlier extracted or a dental operation like root canal got carried out, phantom tooth pain is spooking both patients and dentists alike. Medically dubbed atypical odontalgia, this chronic condition leaves individuals in jitters to suffer an unbearable pain that needs to be fixed urgently.
Spooky Tooth
Explaining the curious case of phantom tooth pain, Dr. Vimal Arora, chief clinical officer of Clove Dental, a leading expansive network of dental clinics in India, says: “This ghostly twinge is a neurological condition due to which individuals experience a persistent pang in and around the area where a tooth once used to be. Despite the tooth being completely uprooted now with no chance of triggering any further physical discomfort, a stinging feeling remains.
Strikingly enough, the pain is not induced by any physical issue of the tooth itself but nerve signals misinterpreted by the brain. “This phenomenon is not just limited to its zone of origin from where it stemmed but widely spreads to other areas like the jaws, face and even the neck as well,” he informs.
Dr. Anmol Agarwal, principal consultant of oral and maxillofacial surgery, dental implantology and TMJ disorders at Yashoda Super Specialty Hospital, concedes that “such a scary pain usually emanates from the free nerve endings present in the associated structure of the jaws like the bones, gums, muscle fibres and the fascia.
Pain management
Phantom pain could be tamed by administering several medicinal doses to the affected patients.
Regarding medication, painkillers are often advised not to be taken as they can affect other vital organs and can even prove fatal in some cases.
“First of all, painkillers are not the ideal choice of drugs to treat phantom pain and if used for a prolonged period, the same is feared to hurt and disrupt the functions of vital organs, leading to morbidities,” warns Dr. Agarwal.
“Begging to differ a bit on this issue, Dr. Arya argues: “Consider an example of chronic arthritis where the patient has to take immunosuppressive medications like steroids and a painkiller on regular basis to keep the pain in check. Similarly, a patient with phantom tooth pain may have to be on a combo of medicines to alleviate the afflicting tickle.”
Therapeutic care
A host of physical and psychological therapies could be undertaken to deal with this vexing issue.
“Taking the mind away from pain or indulging in activities to provide an alternative avenue of relief works best for the sufferers. Supportive treatment in the form of physical therapies, a proper balanced diet and yoga sessions may reap benefits to assuage the crisis. Psychological and behavioural regimes, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, plus acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), can improve symptoms. These therapies can be resorted to under the able guidance and advice of a licensed medical psychologist or a psychiatrist,” notes Dr. Arya.”
Surgical option
One might wonder at what stage the pain could turn out to be chronic enough to consider surgery. Can surgical intervention provide any solution or permanent cure to this ailment?
“The option to operate and redress a phantom tooth pain can only be considered in specific conditions like a nerve compression injury or to eradicate the nerve supply of that particular site. Since every surgery has its own associated morbidities, considering it a permanent cure could therefore be a controversial move,” reasons Dr. Agarwal.”
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/hyderabad-chronicle/mystery-behind-the-phantom-1877573