Nerve Pain​ (Orofacial)

You may experience one of the following symptoms:

• Sudden, severe, recurrent pain on the face or jaw; triggered by jaw movements or touch
• Pain is of short duration and can recur several times a day
• Pain can be excruciating but often comes and goes
• Pain occurs in the absence of other causes of pain, e.g. dental infection

A complete medical history including previous hospitalisations and all current medications will be required.

You will be asked for a complete history of your pain and undergo a head and neck examination.

• A complete dental examination and dental radiographs are required to rule out other causes of the pain
• 3-D imaging with Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan may be required.

Management

• The dentist will assess your dental causes of pain prior to diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia. Medication with anti-neuralgic drugs will be prescribed if needed. A referral to other medical or dental specialties may be required, e.g. Pain Specialist or Neurologist

• Medication is the treatment of choice, usually with anti-neuralgic drugs, e.g. Gabapentin, Pregabalin

• Surgery may be an option depending on clinical and imaging findings; referral to a Neurosurgeon may be necessary.