Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges in Occlusal Dysesthesia: The Dental Patient with Somatoform Disorder

ABSTRACT

The aim of this chapter is to provide the dentist with an overview of potential diagnostic and treatment challenges posed by patients who present with occlusal dysesthesia or “Phantom Bite.” Occlusal dysesthesia is seen as a form of somatoform disorder where dental treatments must be avoided and instead the focus should be on addressing the somatoform disorder through behavior change.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John L. Reeves

John L. Reeves, II, PHD, MSCP, ABPP, is an adjunct professor, Section of Oral Medicine and Orofacial Pain, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry, and The Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical, Los Angeles.

Robert L. Merrill

Robert L. Merrill, DDS, MS, is an adjunct professor, director, Residency Training In Orofacial Pain, and director, Orofacial Pain Clinic at University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry, Section of Oral Medicine and Orofacial Pain.