Tooth

In some cases, problems in the dental area can cause pain in the eye socket. For example, inflammation or injury to nerves may partially radiate into the eye socket. A common cause of pain in the orbit, which is caused by a tooth, is inflammation of the root of the tooth.

Unlike caries, the root with which the tooth is anchored in the jaw is also affected. In this area there are also many nerve fibres which are bundled together and move as a nerve to the brain via switching stations. If these nerves are irritated by an inflammation in the tooth, the pain can radiate into the eye socket due to the special course of the nerves.

Another cause that causes pain in the orbit starting from the tooth is the so-called dentogenic sinusitis maxillaris (dentogenic: lat. for “starting from the teeth”; sinusitis maxillaris: lat. for inflammation of the maxillary sinus).

This is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses in the area of the upper jaw, which is not caused by a cold or flu. Rather, it is an extension of an inflammation of the dental root in the upper jaw to the adjacent paranasal sinus. This lies anatomically in very close relation to the teeth.

In addition to an inflammation in the tooth, which becomes worse in the course of time and penetrates into the maxillary sinus, germs from the oral cavity can also penetrate into the wound after a tooth has been extracted and cause an inflammation. If the maxillary sinus is inflamed, pain is caused by the proximity of the orbit there. In the worst case, an abscess develops over time, which makes the pain worse.

The symptoms of dentogenic sinusitis are a feeling of pressure, pain in the cheek area and the orbit and possibly swelling or redness. In case of an abscess, the pain becomes worse. These symptoms appear a few hours to a few days after a tooth extraction, or in the course of an untreated dental root inflammation.

If you have problems with your teeth and notice pain in the eye socket or if it occurs after an operation in the mouth area, you should consult a doctor immediately. At the beginning of the diagnosis is an exact anamnesis of the complaints, together with the question about previous complaints on the tooth. A knocking pain over the maxillary sinus provides further evidence of maxillary sinusitis.

An exact diagnosis is made with an MRT or CT. A blood test for signs of inflammation is also helpful, and a rhinoscopy may be performed. The orbit should also be examined by an ophthalmologist to assess the involvement of the eye. Eliminating the cause is the first and most effective step in the treatment of pain in the orbit that originates in the tooth.

Sinusitis can be treated with decongestant nasal drops and inhalation of hot steam, while antibiotics are used in severe cases. If a purulent abscess is formed, a surgical procedure is performed to remove it. Ibuprofen can be given for pain and inflammation.