What is Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine? (OFPOM)?

Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine are the newest dental specialties recognized by The American Dental Association. It is a multidisciplinary specialty that treats Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (or TMJ), neuropathic pain, headaches (which would include Migraines, Cluster, and Tension type headaches), obstructive sleep apnea, and oral diseases due to medical complications. The orofacial pain specialist can serve as a consultant to other dentists and/or physicians, however, most take on the role as the principal provider. OFPOM specialists are trained to provide care at various levels such as direct treatment (including palliative treatment, nerve blocks, trigger-point injections, and surgical procedures), prescribing medications (such as Botox, TCAs, anticonvulsants, and pain management medications), prescribing physical therapy regimens, as well as counseling to their patients and family members through individualized treatment plans. Dr. Leopold has completed a 3-year residency at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California and is uniquely qualified to treat Orofacial Pain, Oral Medicine, and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Leopold collaborates with close team of dental specialists and physicians which include neurologists, neurosurgeons, ENTs, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, rheumatologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and physical therapists should the need arise to include one or many of these specialists in your treatment plan. Most importantly, the goal of our practice is to provide conservative “individualized” treatment plans unique to each patient to achieve optimal pain relief and a better quality of life.