If there is pain in the maxillary anterior teeth, what muscle is the pain deferred?

• A. Anterior temporalis
• B. Middle temporalis
• C. Posterior temporalis
• D. Lower superficial masseter

Answer: (A)

Referred pain from myofascial trigger points in jaw muscles follows consistent patterns, and the anterior fibers of the temporalis commonly map to the maxillary anterior teeth. When the anterior temporalis is involved, trigger points can radiate dull, aching pain into the front upper teeth because these teeth share the same trigeminal sensory pathways and the muscle’s fascial connections extend toward that tooth region. The other portions of the temporalis and the masseter tend to produce pain patterns more associated with the temple/ear region or with other teeth (for example, molars), rather than the maxillary anterior group. So, pain felt in the maxillary anterior teeth is most consistent with referred pain from the anterior temporalis muscle.