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Trigeminal neuralgia and trigeminal neuropathic pain

British Dental Journal volume 236, pages 323–328 (2024)Cite this article

Abstract

It is very important that the dental team are aware of the varied presentations of pain in the mouth, face and other parts of the trigeminal region which are not directly caused by teeth or oral structures. Our understanding of underlying causes in this complex area is evolving. Ultimately, patients who present with what may at first seem to be oral or dental problems will require specialist input in secondary care with potential for use of systemic medications. This article reviews the common non-dental pains encountered in the orofacial region related to dysfunction of the trigeminal nerve.

Key points

  • It can be challenging to differentiate between dental and non-dental causes of orofacial pain related to dysfunction of the trigeminal nerve.

  • Practitioners in primary care need to know how patients with these conditions may present in order to take an appropriate pain history as this is often crucial in deciding on a likely diagnosis.

  • While practitioners may not be involved in the definitive management of these patients, they can assist through definitive exclusion of a dental cause, timely onward referral and recognition of psychosocial factors in some of these conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Medicine, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, UK

    Kevin Ryan & Alexander Crighton

Authors
  1. Kevin Ryan
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  2. Alexander Crighton
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Contributions

Kevin Ryan wrote the following sections: persistent idiopathic facial pain; persistent idiopathic dentoalveolar pain; burning mouth syndrome; and painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy. Alexander Crighton wrote the introduction and the section trigeminal neuralgia.

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Correspondence to Kevin Ryan.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Ryan, K., Crighton, A. Trigeminal neuralgia and trigeminal neuropathic pain. Br Dent J 236, 323–328 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-024-7068-6

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