Trigeminal Neuralgia involves the Trigeminal Nerve. Tri means 3 and geminus means twin. Trigeminal means three twins. It's the largest nerve coming out of the brain into the face. It divides into 3 smaller nerves before leaving the brain and is given its name because of this branching. The 3 branches allow you to feel almost all of your face and the front of your head. It's also called the fifth cranial nerve, one of the twelve cranial nerves coming directly out of the brain instead of the spinal cord. The Latin 5 is V. The 3 divisions of the trigeminal nerve are called V1,V2,and V3. V1, the Opthalmic (eye) nerve, allows you to feel your head above the eyes. V2, the Maxillary (upper jaw) nerve, allows you to feel from your upper lip to below your eyes. V3, the Mandibular (lower jaw) nerve, allows you to feel from your lower lip to the lower part of your jaw.

          Trigeminal Neuralgia means pain in the areas that the trigeminal nerve supplies. The lightening like electric pain can be flashing, stabbing, or radiating anywhere in the area that the trigeminal nerve supplies feeling. The short bursts of pain often return in clusters that last several seconds. The pain is often triggered by external factors such as chewing, brushing, drafts of air, or eating. The areas of the face that tirgger this pain are called Trigger Zones. It also can be activated by conditions such as multiple sclerosis, tumors and abnormal blood vessels. Another name is Tic Douloureux. Tic Douloureux in French means unbearably painful twitch. Nerves are like electric wires that go to specific places on or in your body. This living wire can be cut or pinched anywhere along its length. If the trigeminal nerve is pinched in the brain, or while it's coming out of the brain, there will be disturbed feeling in the area that this nerve covers. Neuron means nerve and Algos means pain. Neuralgia means pain in the nerve.

          The cause of Trigeminal Neuralgia pain probably comes from pressure, degeneration, or damage to the trigeminal nerve anywhere along it's path. One cause may be an artery or vein beating against the nerve. Problems with the first branch cause pain around the eyes and over the forehead. Problems with the second branch cause pain in the midface including the upper lip, nose, upper teeth and palate. This is the most commonly affected branch. The third branch can cause pain on the side of the tongue and lower lip.

          Unfortunately, many health professionals label patients with unexplained pain in the face with the diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia. There are several other disorders that can affect the trigeminal nerve. A misdiagnosis can lead to a patient taking unnecessary medications. Even worse, patients with an incorrect diagnosis can later have unnecessary dangerous surgical procedures performed on their brains. This is why it is extremely important to rule out all of the other causes of pain in the facial area before treatment. If you would like to consult with our Atlanta General Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky, please call and make an appointment at 404-874-7428.