Introduction to Pain

Question 1

Define pain:

Define nociception:

What is a noxious stimulus?

Nociceptive stimulus?

Answer 1

Pain: an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage

Nociception: the activation of neural pathways by stimuli that damage or threaten to damage tissues

Noxious Stimulus: potentially damaging stimulus

Nociceptive Stimulus: a stimulus that activates nociceptive pathways

Question 2

What is the purpose of pain? Are there any limitations?

Answer 2

Pain usually signifies something is wrong –> protective mechanism

• may get pain in healthy areas: referred pain
• some significant pathologies may not be painful: tumours

Question 3

What determines experience of pain?

Answer 3

• strength of stimulus, or degree of tissue damage
• emotions
• past experience of pain
• ability to comprehend causes and consequences
• other sensations

Question 4

How is pain associated with dentistry?

Answer 4

Dentoalveolar:

• sensitivity, pulpitis, acute pericoronitis, periapical periodontitis

Bone:

• dry socket

Sinusitis (maxillary)

Salivary gland blocked

Mucosal disease

Musculoskeletal

Neuropathic