Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) has been described for over 400 years as the most intense human pain condition. The trigeminal nerve is the 5th cranial nerve providing sensation to the oral and facial structures, and trigeminal neuralgia is a pathololgical condition resulting most often in bursts of intense, shock-like pain in the face and / or mouth. It is often misdiagnosed as a dental condition, and 70% of patients with TN undergo unecessary dental treatment that can worsen the pain condition.

While we recognize that TN results from a hyper-excitable trigeminal nerve leading to intense pain in the mouth or on the face, many cases of TN have no identifiable cause. Thorough evaluation is essential since some patients with TN may have a serious underlying neurological problem.

There is hope, and there are several excellent approaches to relieving the pain of TN, ranging from medications to brain surgery. Proper evaluation is critical to determine possible causes and develop an effective treatment plan.

Dr. Sirois is a Diplomat of the American Board of Oral Medicine, earned the PhD in Neuroscience focusing on nerve injury, and is an internationally recognized researcher and clinician focusing on chronic facial pain. He is also Co-Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the Neuropathic Facial Pain - Trigeminal Neuralgia Association.

If you are experiencing chronic oral or facial pain and think you might have TN, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sirois for a thorough evaluation.

For more information on TN, please visit the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association (http://www.fpa-support.org/), the most authoritative source of information for patients with TN and other forms of neuropathic facial pain.