Headaches, especially in the scalp, temples and in the sides of the face are usually caused by excessive muscle tension. Patients with a history of clenching, grinding of teeth and generally enlarged muscles (a head that appears large, a square jaw) may have frequent headaches.
This type of headaches can occur regardless of the type of dental work done.
Generally, the muscles and joints in the skull are very tolerant of changes to the teeth and bite. There may be patients who are hypersensitive to minor changes who cannot tolerate even minor changes to their teeth. Conditions such as depression, anxiety or stress may reduce the body's ability to compensate after major dental work (orthodontics or significant dental reconstruction).
Other dental conditions that may produce headaches include toothache, which can be identified and treated by a dentist.
Rare pain syndromes like trigeminal neuralgia can also cause pain in the face and head.
