Trigeminal Neuralgia

Facial or Dental Pain

             This is a condition which is somewhat difficult, though not impossible to treat. While most nerves which are involved in painful processes originate on the spinal cord, twelve (12) nerves which originate directly from the brain also produce painful conditions. Such is the case with the Trigeminal, or fifth cranial nerve. Frequently pain from this condition will cause severe facial pain, usually on one side of the face, and become extremely more painful when you are exposed to cold wind, cold liquids or similar conditions. It may also become more painful when the weather changes. 
      This nerve comes out of the skull bone through a small hole below the orbit of the eye and splits into three branches, hence the name Trigeminal. The branches supply areas of the face including the eye, upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible). When your dentist provides anesthesia for fillings or other dental work, it is usually a branch of the Trigeminal nerve which is blocked.
      Once the appropriate branch or division is identified using a diagnostic block, other interventional procedures are used to more permanently provide relief. Depending on the cause of this problem, it may recur or return periodically, though there are also non-narcotic oral medications which are very helpful at keeping it under long term control.

Ashley M. Classen, D.O, F.A.O.C.A.  &  E. Jo Bailey, M.D.
1401 Henderson Street  •  Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Phone 817.332.3664  •  Fax 817.334.0575