Spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery manifesting as pain in an endodontically treated molar.

BACKGROUND

Dental pain is a common occurrence, whereas spontaneous dissection of an internal carotid artery is rare.

CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors describe a patient who experienced a spontaneous dissection of an internal carotid artery that manifested initially as dental pain in an endodontically treated molar.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: It is important for dental practitioners to be familiar with unusual causes of dental pain. In this case in which the cause of dental pain was uncommon, the authors referred the patient appropriately, thus avoiding potentially serious complications.