Symptoms
Tooth pain (referred)
Persistent tooth pain with normal dental imaging frequently refers from masseter, temporalis and digastric.
Overview
Persistent tooth pain with normal dental imaging frequently refers from masseter, temporalis and digastric. Identifying which muscle reproduces the patient's familiar pain on palpation guides treatment and often produces meaningful change alongside standard care.
Clinical notes
Coordinate with the dentist. Reproducible referral on palpation suggests myofascial origin.
Red flags — when to refer
Swelling, fever, suspected abscess — dental emergency referral.
Muscles often involved
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction