Relief for Chronic Face, Head, and Neck Pain
TMJ disorders, trigeminal nerve pain, headaches, and dental management of obstructive sleep apnea
Faculty with Resident support
Recommended
Medical Insurance, Self-pay
We are devoted to the diagnosis and management of chronic head, neck, and facial pain. As one of the largest centers of its kind in the United States, the Craniofacial Pain Center at Tufts University Dental Care Center incorporates a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of complex pain problems, such as facial pain, headaches, ear pain, jaw sounds and dysfunction, neck pain, as well as dental management of obstructive sleep apnea.
Conditions Treated
Every patient receives a personalized treatment plan, based on their diagnosis, contributing factors, and individual needs. We treat the following conditions:
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD), also known as “TMJ”
- Primary headache disorders (tension-type headaches, migraine, and others)
- Trigeminal nerve pain (trigeminal neuralgia and others)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Other causes of face, head, and neck pain
What to Expect for New Patients
New patients receive an extensive evaluation from one of our orofacial pain specialists. Once a diagnosis is determined, your dentist will discuss treatment plan options with you. The Craniofacial Pain Center is home to the Advanced Education in Orofacial Pain program of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA). At our teaching institution, you can expect a team-based care approach to your dental care. In addition to being directly cared for by faculty, you may interact with residents, who are dentists who are training in this specialty.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Every patient is given an extensive initial evaluation to establish diagnosis.
Once we evaluate your individual needs and contributing factors, you will be provided a diagnosis and receive a personalized treatment plan.
Services and Treatment Options
The Craniofacial Pain Center offers a range of comprehensive treatments including:
- Oral appliance therapy
- Therapeutic injections (local anesthetic, Botox) and Intra-articular injections
- Pharmacotherapy
- Counseling (education and self-care)
- Dental sleep appliances to treat obstructive sleep apnea
Because of the interdisciplinary nature of this field, you might also receive additional referrals to other providers as part of your continued treatment plan. The Center has established connection with a broad range of specialists in the Boston area and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
We accept medical insurance but do not accept dental insurance.
If you do not have medical insurance, or your medical insurance does not cover your treatment, you can "self pay."
For self-pay patients, we do not offer payment plan options. However, patients may apply for financing through Happen Bank (formerly known as LendingClub), which offers a range of loan rates.
Learn more about insurance and billing.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer free care or "sliding-scale" pricing. However, as a teaching facility, we are committed to offering dental care at lower cost than a typical private practice.
Yes, if you or your family member need assistance in a non-English language, we offer interpreters at no personal cost to you. Some commonly spoken languages are:
- Arabic
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Cambodian
- Cantonese
- European Portuguese
- French
- Haitian Creole
- Korean
- Mandarin
- Pashto
- Russian
- Spanish
- Toishanese
- Vietnamese
For Referring Providers
Providers from around New England, including primary care physicians, dentists, neurologists, and ENTs, refer their patients to our Craniofacial Pain Center for a variety of symptoms. If you have a patient who needs expert care at a more affordable cost, please consider recommending our clinics. We welcome referrals.
Directions and Contact Us
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
1 Kneeland Street, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 021111
Phone: 617-636-6817