Recognition and management of somatoform disorders.

Many clinicians have encountered patients with a somatoform disorder without recognizing the clinical presentation. Somatoform disorders can confound a diagnosis, consume inordinate amounts of treatment time, and may cause treatment failure. Recognition and management of somatoform disorders in prosthodontic patients is discussed in this clinical report to assist practitioners in avoiding initiation of prosthodontic treatment for patients with physical symptoms that are caused by a psychologic disorder rather than organic disease.