Persistent Face, Jaw or Head Pain?
Find Out What’s Really Causing It.
Specialised care for Orofacial Pain, TMJ Disorders, Headaches, Jaw Pain, Facial Pain, Tinnitus and related conditions.
Orofacial Pain Consultant | Vashi, Navi Mumbai
Pain Doesn’t Always Have a Simple Cause
Are you suffering from…
Still in Pain Despite Seeing Other Doctors or Dentists?
You may have been told…
Pain in the face, jaw or head can be difficult to diagnose because it may involve the jaw joints, muscles, nerves, teeth, headaches, neck or even a combination of factors.
You may have already visited a dentist, ENT specialist, neurologist, orthopaedic doctor or other healthcare professional and still be looking for answers.
Orofacial Pain focuses specifically on diagnosing and managing pain involving the mouth, jaw, face, head and related areas.
At Neocare, we look beyond where it hurts to understand why it hurts.
Meet Your Orofacial Pain Consultant
Dr. Ruchika Sood
Orofacial Pain Consultant
Dr. Ruchika Sood focuses on the diagnosis and management of complex pain involving the jaw, face, mouth, head and related structures.
Her approach is centred on understanding the individual patient’s symptoms, identifying contributing factors and developing a personalised treatment plan.
What is Orofacial Pain ?
Orofacial Pain is a specialised field of healthcare focused on pain and disorders affecting the mouth, jaw, face, head and neck.
These problems can include jaw joint disorders, facial pain, headaches, muscle pain, nerve-related pain, tooth-related pain and other complex conditions.
Because these conditions can overlap, finding the underlying contributors is often the first step toward effective treatment.
Conditions We Treat
Jaw & TMJ
Head & Face
- Facial Pain
- Headaches
- Migraine-related pain
- Temple Pain
- Ear-region Pain
Nerve-Related Pain
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Burning Mouth
- Nerve Pain
- Persistent Facial Pain
Other Orofacial Conditions
- Tinnitus
- Neck-related pain
- Tooth Pain without an obvious dental cause
- Post-treatment persistent pain
- Sleep Apnea
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Orofacial Pain ?
Orofacial pain refers to pain or discomfort affecting the face, jaw, mouth, teeth, temples, head, or neck. The pain may arise from the jaw joints, muscles, nerves, teeth, or other structures. An accurate diagnosis is important because different causes of pain require different treatments.
What conditions do you treat?
At Neocare, we evaluate and manage a range of conditions, including:
- Jaw pain and TMJ/TMD problems
- Jaw clicking, popping, or locking
- Headaches and facial pain
- Muscle-related pain
- Nerve-related facial pain
- Neck pain associated with jaw problems
- Difficulty opening the mouth (trismus)
- Persistent pain after dental treatment
- Unexplained tooth or facial pain
- Tinnitus and ear-related symptoms associated with jaw disorders
- Chronic orofacial pain
- Sleep Apnea
What is TMJ or TMD?
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint—the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull. TMD refers to temporomandibular disorders, a group of conditions affecting the jaw joints, chewing muscles, and surrounding structures.
Symptoms may include jaw pain, clicking or popping, difficulty opening the mouth, headaches, facial pain, and discomfort while chewing.
My jaw clicks. Should I be worried?
Not every clicking jaw requires treatment. Some people have jaw sounds without pain or difficulty in movement. However, if the clicking is associated with pain, locking, restricted mouth opening, difficulty chewing, or worsening symptoms, an evaluation may be helpful.
Can TMJ problems cause headaches?
Yes. Problems involving the jaw joints and chewing muscles can contribute to pain in the temples, forehead, face, and head. However, headaches can have many causes, so it is important to identify the actual source of the pain before starting treatment.
Can jaw problems cause ear pain or ringing in the ears?
Jaw and chewing muscle problems can sometimes be associated with ear-area pain, a feeling of fullness around the ear, or tinnitus. Because these symptoms can also have other causes, a proper assessment is necessary.
Why do I have facial pain when my teeth appear normal?
Facial pain does not always come from the teeth. It may arise from muscles, jaw joints, nerves, headaches, or other medical conditions. Treating a tooth without identifying the true cause may not solve the problem. A detailed evaluation can help determine the possible source of your pain.
I have had dental treatment, but my pain continues. Why?
Persistent pain after dental treatment may occur for several reasons. Sometimes the original source of pain was not the tooth, or the pain may involve muscles, nerves, jaw joints, or another condition. A careful assessment is needed to understand why the pain is continuing.
Do I need an X-ray or scan?
Not every patient requires imaging. Depending on your symptoms and clinical examination, appropriate investigations such as dental X-rays, CBCT, MRI, or other tests may be recommended when necessary.
How is orofacial pain diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually begins with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, medical and dental history, followed by a clinical examination of the jaw, muscles, teeth, bite, and related areas. Additional tests or imaging may be advised if required.
The goal is to identify the possible cause of your symptoms and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
What treatments are available for jaw and facial pain?
Treatment depends on the diagnosis and the individual patient. Management may include education and self-care advice, exercises, physiotherapy, medications, appliances when appropriate, and other evidence-based treatment approaches.
Not every patient needs the same treatment, and invasive procedures are not always the first option.
Will I need a night guard or splint?
A dental appliance may be useful for selected patients, but it is not necessary for everyone with jaw pain or clicking. The decision should be based on your diagnosis and individual needs.
Can stress make jaw pain worse?
Stress can contribute to increased muscle tension and habits such as clenching or grinding the teeth, which may aggravate symptoms in some people. Managing stress and improving awareness of these habits can be an important part of treatment.
What is teeth grinding or bruxism?
Bruxism refers to clenching or grinding the teeth, often during sleep or sometimes while awake. It may contribute to tooth wear, muscle fatigue, jaw discomfort, or headaches in some individuals.
What should I do if my jaw locks or I cannot open my mouth properly?
Difficulty opening the mouth or jaw locking should be evaluated, especially if it is painful, sudden, persistent, or worsening. Avoid forcing the mouth open. Contact us for an assessment and appropriate advice.