Nonpainful phantom sensations in dentistry: an update of etiologic concepts.

Various phantom disorders have been discussed extensively in the medical literature, the most common being phantom limb pain. However, phantom conditions have not received much attention in the dental literature. This article provides a topical review of relevant literature to update current thinking on the etiology of various nonpainful phantom phenomena involving the oral cavity, traces the evolution of these concepts, and offers practical patient management recommendations for dentists. Educating dentists about these phenomena will enable them to avoid extensive, time-consuming procedures that seldom resolve their patients' chief complaints.