Persistent orofacial pain can arise from nerve irritation, trauma, infection, or idiopathic neuralgias.

Accurate diagnosis requires excluding dental, sinus, or joint pathology before targeted management.

Referral is indicated when:

• Pain persists despite dental or restorative treatment.

• There is burning, shooting, or electric-shock pain along a nerve distribution.

• The patient reports numbness, altered sensation, or post-surgical neuropathic pain.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons can assess nerve function, perform imaging to rule out structural causes, and coordinate care with pain specialists or neurologists.

Early intervention improves outcomes and helps avoid chronic neuropathic pain syndromes.

When to refer to AWOMS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Any unexplained or persistent facial pain not responding to dental management - early evaluation supports accurate diagnosis and relief.