Diagnostic Triage
Conditions We Diagnose and Treat.
Chronic orofacial pain is not one condition. It is a category — encompassing nerve pain, joint pain, vascular pain, and pain with no identifiable source. Each one calls for a different treatment, and the source can change over time — so the first step is always a clear diagnosis.
Select the symptom profile that most closely describes your experience. You will be directed to the diagnostic pathway designed for your specific root cause.
Symptom-to-Mechanism Matrix
Pathway A — Acute Nerve Pain
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Symptom Profile
Sudden, electric-shock facial pain triggered by light touch, chewing, or wind. Pain confined to one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. Episodes lasting seconds to minutes.
Mechanism
Neuropathic — dysfunction or compression of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)
Pathway B — Chronic Pain
TMJ Disorders & Chronic Orofacial Pain
Symptom Profile
Persistent jaw pain, clicking, or locking. Pain that worsens with chewing or yawning. Pain that has returned or changed after earlier care.
Mechanism
Musculoskeletal, intra-articular, or mixed — involving the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, or both
Condition Reference Pages
Diagnosis First, Then Treatment.
Every pathway on this page follows the same principle: a clear diagnosis before treatment, so each treatment targets the source of your pain.
Dr. Sang H. Chung, DMD uses on-site imaging, neurological testing, and internationally validated diagnostic criteria to identify the specific cause of your pain. See the treatments offered.
Every patient receives the same standard: a clear diagnosis first, then a written treatment plan.
Not Sure Where Your Pain Fits?
If your symptoms do not fit neatly into one category — and for many chronic pain patients, they do not — complete the two-minute booking form. Your responses will be reviewed by our clinical team to determine the most appropriate diagnostic pathway.
Book Your Consultation →No referral needed · Help filing with medical insurance · $650
Symptoms that span multiple categories? See how the facial pain diagnosis process finds the source first →