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J Am Dent Assoc, Vol 131, No 2, 184-195. © 2000 American Dental Association

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Background. The authors discuss the local pharmacotherapy for chronic orofacial neuropathic pain disorders such as neuropathies, neuromas and neuralgias.

Methods. The authors conducted a systematic literature review on this topic. The focus of the review involved the two most commonly applied medications for neuropathic disorders—local anesthetics and capsaicin. Other compounds such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sympathomimetic agents, anticonvulsants and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists also were reviewed. The medication delivery and retention methods appropriate for oral and perioral disease and pain control are described in this article.

Results. There are an ever-increasing number of agents that can be used to help patients with neuropathic-based oral and perioral pain problems. Moreover, a clear advancement in the delivery of these medications is the development of a vehicle-carrier agent (pluronic lecithin organogel) that can penetrate the mucosa and cutaneous tissues and carry the active medication with it to the treatment site. The major caveat underlying these treatment strategies is that except for patient testimony and a few studies, there are limited empirical data on the efficacy of most of these new formulations, and additional research is clearly needed.

Conclusions. Because of their rapid onset and low side-effect profile, topical medications offer a distinct advantage over systemic administration for those orofacial disorders that are regional, near the surface and chronic and that demonstrate some response such as pain relief to topical or subcutaneous anesthetics.

Clinical Implications. Practicing dentists now have some new tools they can use to help manage patients who have a chronic nerve pain disorder in and around the mouth.

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