Face Pain
Relief from burning and electric nerve pain in the mouth, face and tongue.
Nerve pain in the face is complex and often misdiagnosed.
You need a compassionate doctor who has specialized training.
Dr. Guthrie has spent years receiving additional residency training in managing these hard-to-diagnosis conditions. He takes the time to evaluate your condition with attentive care to make sure you have the right diagnosis, so that you can get the right treatment.
Find emotional and physical relief starting your first appointment with a care plan personalized to you and your symptoms.
Types of Nerve Pain We Treat:
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal Neuralgia (also known as Tic Douloureux) is an incredibly painful condition that often presents with intense electric shocking or stabbing sensations in the face. The attacks are triggered by lightly touching the face, and can last for up to minute. Once an attack has ended, another won’t be able to occur until a few minutes have passed. It is often caused by a blood vessel rubbing against a nerve, but sometimes no cause can be identified.
This condition is often initially misdiagnosed as a sever tooth ache or a migraine.
Treatment: The most common treatment for Trigeminal Neuraglia is anti-seizure medications that reduce the painful electrical activity in the face. If these treatments become inefective, a neurosurgeon may be able to insert a cushion around the nerve to protect it and reduce your pain.
Continuous Nerve Pain
Continuous nerve pains can develop in the face for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they can be triggered by surgery or tooth extractions (called anesthesia delorosa or “phantom tooth pain”). They can also be triggered by previous viral infections such as herpes zoster. In other cases the cause can not be determined easily.
These conditions are often misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia, or tooth aches.
Treatment: Treatment of continuous neuropathic pain depends on the specific diagnoses. In cases where a cause cannot be identified, surgery can often make symptoms worse, and is rarely recommended. Nerve pain medications can be helpful in manage your symptoms. We also work with local pharmacies to compound topical medications that can be tailored to your specific symptoms.
Burning Mouth Syndrome
Burning in and around the mouth can occur for a variety of reason ranging from dry mouth, to vitamin deficiency, diabetes, or systemic conditions like lupus or small fiber neuropathy.
Treatment: If a cause such as dry mouth or vitamin deficiency can be identified, we will take steps to address those factors. If lifestyle changes are not effective in treating your oral burning, we can try a variety of medication to help get your pain under control.
Other Neuropathic Pains
We also diagnose and manage several other uncommon nerve pain conditions including:
- Pre-trigeminal neuralgia
- Post-herpetic neuralgia
- Occipital neuralgia
- Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
- Geniculate neuralgia (nervus intermedius neuralgia)
- Red ear syndrome
- First Bite Syndrome
“I was told by countless doctors that I had Trigeminal Neuraglia. Turns out I got a nerve injury during a root canal and Dr.Guthrie was the one to finally catch it. I am forever grateful for his attention and care.”
– Jeremy S.
FAQs
What types of nerve pain do you treat?
We treat all nerve pain conditions in the mouth and face:
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Pre-trigeminal neuralgia
- Post-herpetic neuralgia
- Occipital neuralgia
- Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
- Geniculate neuralgia (nervus intermedius neuralgia)
- Burning mouth syndrome
- Post traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain
- Persistant idiopathic facial pain
- Persistant idiopathic dentoalveolar pain
- Red ear syndrome
- First bite syndrome
How do you treat nerve pain?
Many nerve pain conditions can be managed with prescription medications. Except in the case of trigeminal neuralgia, surgery is usually not recommended, and may make the pain worse.
What is the difference between TN1 and TN2?
TN1 and TN2 are older terms used to describe different types of neuropathic pain in the face. TN1 is now referred to as “Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia.” TN2 (or Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia) was previously used to described any nerve pain in the face that didn’t fit into the “normal” trigeminal neuralgia box. We now know that there are many different types of nerve pain conditions and headaches that can cause pain in the mouth or face, but the proper diagnosis is the key to proper treatment.
Is daily medication my only option?
In some cases, such as trigeminal neuralgia, surgery may be an option to permanently stop the pain.
However, for many people, the use of some amount of medication can help reduce the pain. Other patients find benefit with topical medications that we have specially made at a local pharmacy.
Some studies have reported extended improvement after injections with botox, or anesthetics.
How often do I have to come in to help my nerve pain?
It depends on your diagnosis. Neuropathic pain treatment can range from a single visit to more frequent check-ins. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific symptoms, with the goal of you being empowered to manage your pain without continuous visits or invasive procedures. If you continue to receive medication, we will often see you on a 6 month basis to monitor your progress.
How do I know what type of nerve pain I have?
The best way to get a definitive diagnosis is to schedule an appointment with a provider who has had advanced training in managing neuropathic disorders, such as an Orofacial pain specialist or headache neurologist. With uncommon symptoms, a primary care provider may not have the training to diagnose your specific nerve pain condition.
It's easy to get started.
1.
Book a new patient appointment with Dr.Guthrie
2.
Receive a diagnosis and treatment plan for your pain
3.
Experience the joy that comes with relief from your headaches.