Facial Pain Specialists: Trigeminal Neuralgia and Atypical Facial Pain
Trigeminal Neuralgia & Atypical Facial Pain
Condition Overview
Whether sharp and sudden or dull and persistent, facial pain can disrupt daily activities, hinder social interactions and diminish overall well-being. While injuries or infections are common causes, severe facial pain might also signal more serious concerns, like trigeminal neuralgia or atypical facial pain.
At Nura, our specialists are dedicated to developing tailored treatment solutions for facial pain — addressing both typical and atypical trigeminal neuralgia.
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Learn more about trigeminal neuralgia
Types and Symptoms of Facial Pain
Facial pain — caused by trigeminal neuralgia or atypical facial pain — typically affects one side of the face. It’s often associated with factors like inflammation or injury of the trigeminal ganglion — a nerve that acts as the control center for sensations in your face.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for carrying sensation from one side of your face to your brain. The trigeminal ganglion has three divisions and pain can be present in one, two or all three:
- Ophthalmic (forehead)
- Maxillary (mid-face)
- Mandibular (lower jaw)
Individuals with trigeminal neuralgia typically feel lightning-bolt pain on one side of the face, triggered by simple things like chewing, brushing teeth or applying makeup. These jolts may last seconds to minutes, then stop at pain-free intervals, which can last hours or days.
Atypical Facial Pain
A less common form of the disorder — called atypical facial pain — causes a constant, dull burning or aching pain that is nonstop rather than once in a while. With atypical facial pain, electric shock-like stabs may occur, worsening the constant ache and leading many to visit a specialist seeking relief.
Unlike typical trigeminal neuralgia, there is often no specific trigger point for atypical facial pain.
Diagnosis of Facial Pain
When diagnosing facial pain, one of our pain management experts will conduct a comprehensive evaluation. They’ll talk with you about your medical history and ask questions about your pain.
Sometimes, imaging studies like MRIs or CT scans are ordered to get a more precise look at what’s causing you pain. After these initial steps, additional diagnostic nerve blocks or other specialized tests may be needed to further pinpoint the cause of your facial pain.
Treatment Options for Facial Pain
Treatment options for facial pain vary depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the symptoms. In many cases, relief is most easily found by using multiple approaches at the same time.
At Nura, our specialists may recommend various treatments for your facial pain, including:
Real people, real stories
The pain pump has changed my life.
On February 18, 1993, 16-year-old Tracy’s life changed forever when she was in a car accident that left her with severe facial injuries. Despite undergoing 56 reconstructive surgeries, including work on her right eye, Tracy was left with constant, sharp head pain. After 12 unsuccessful exploratory surgeries, her pain became chronic, disrupting her daily life.
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Find Pain Relief
Schedule an appointment with one of our pain specialists by filling out our appointment request form or giving us a call at 763-537-6000.
