
The Orofacial Pain Center
Phone: 773.873.OFPC

The Orofacial Pain Center
Joan C. Wang, DDS, MS
Diplomate, American Board of Orofacial Pain
Fellow, American Academy of Orofacial Pain

Welcome
What Brings You Here Today?
Does your tooth hurt but nothing's wrong with the tooth?
Does your lip still feel numb a week after a filling was done?
Does your tooth still hurt after it's already been removed?
Do you get sharp pains when you lightly touch your face?
Are you tired of side effects from headache medications?
Something clearly isn't right. Somewhere in your body, something is out of balance. Maybe you can ignore it most days. Maybe it stops you in your tracks. Either way, you're getting anxious because no one can seem to find a cause or a solution.
We promise to do our best by working with you and your team of health professionals to help you figure out what's going on and find the most effective, least invasive way to start healing.
Things Are Not As They Appear
In the head and neck region, the system of nerves that carry the signals up to your brain is very complex. Imagine a freeway with six lanes in each direction, all merging into one lane, with U-turns and exit lanes mixed in. Then imagine this freeway during rush hour. You get the picture. This complex network of nerves traveling up to and down from your brain functions pretty well the vast majority of the time. But once in awhile, the signals can get crossed. What does this mean? It means that pain that you feel in one area might originate from a completely different area. This may be why you feel pain in your teeth and your dentist can't find anything wrong with your teeth. The source of your pain might actually be your neck muscle. We call this referred pain.
How We Can Help
With a thorough clinical exam (sometimes including lab testing and diagnostic scans) and a detailed history of your symptoms, the potential sources of pain in your body can be identified. Once identified, you can start learning more about how to manage your personal experience. Knowledge gives you the power to take back control over your body and your life. To help you start healing, a minimally-invasive, manageable treatment plan will be created specifically for you.
