An orofacial pain specialist is a dentist who has advanced training and board certification in diagnosing, managing, and treating pain disorders that affect the head, face, mouth, and jaw, as well as related functional problems involving chewing, speaking, or sleeping. The field encompasses conditions such as temporomandibular disorders, muscular pain in the head, neck, and shoulders, neuropathic (nerve) pain like trigeminal neuralgia and burning mouth syndrome, primary headaches such as migraine, cluster, episodic tension-type headache, etc., persistent post-surgical or dental pain, nerve injuries that may occur after dental procedures or trauma, etc.

Orofacial pain became the twelfth recognized dental specialty in the United States in March 2020, officially acknowledged by the American Dental Association and the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards. Specialists in this field typically complete a two-year Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited residency after dental school, focusing on the complex interplay between the nervous system, musculoskeletal structures, and psychological factors that influence pain. Board certification is granted through the American Board of Orofacial Pain.

Clinically, these specialists emphasize a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to care, often collaborating with neurologists, otolaryngologists, physical therapists, dentists, and psychologists. Their management strategies are evidence-based and primarily non-surgical, focusing on reducing pain, restoring function, and improving quality of life through behavioral interventions, physical therapies, and medications when appropriate.

In essence, an orofacial pain specialist serves as the expert in facial and jaw pain, dedicated to understanding and treating the complex, often overlapping causes of chronic pain in the craniofacial region.