What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia?Â
The Trigeminal Nerve carries the sensation of the face to the brain via the Ophthalmic (V1), Maxillary (V2) and Mandibular (V3) branches.Â
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a condition affecting the trigeminal nerve. It causes episodes of sudden, severe facial pain that are often described as a sharp electric shock pain in the face or a sudden, stabbing sensation. The pain typically affects one side of the face and may occur in short attacks, with periods of little or no pain between episodes. Everyday activities such as touching the face, brushing the teeth, chewing, talking, or exposure to cold air can sometimes trigger an attack. Although the pain can be extremely intense, the attacks are usually brief.
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Because similar symptoms can occur with dental problems and other conditions, a proper medical assessment is important to determine whether trigeminal neuralgia is the cause.
Who is at risk for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia can occur in adults of different ages, but it is more common in older adults and is diagnosed more frequently in women. The risk increases with age. In some people, the condition develops when a blood vessel comes into contact with and irritates the trigeminal nerve. It can also be associated with conditions such as multiple sclerosis or other problems affecting the trigeminal nerve. In some cases, no specific underlying cause can be identified. Having a risk factor does not mean that someone will develop trigeminal neuralgia, and facial pain can have many different causes. If you experience recurring electric-shock-like or stabbing facial pain, it is important to seek an appropriate medical evaluation.
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The image in this section shows how a blood vessel (labelled PTA) is running close to the Trigeminal Nerve (labelled TN). While this can be asymptomatic, in some patients, this results in the nerves firing abnormally
How is Trigeminal Neuralgia diagnosed?
Diagnosing trigeminal neuralgia starts with understanding exactly what your facial pain feels like and what triggers it. During a consultation, Dr Christopher Liu will assess the location, intensity and pattern of your pain, including whether you experience sudden electric-shock-like or stabbing pain on one side of the face, and whether everyday activities such as touching your face, chewing or brushing your teeth trigger an attack. A neurological examination and, where appropriate, an MRI may also be recommended to look for possible causes of irritation or compression of the trigeminal nerve. An MRI can provide important information, but trigeminal neuralgia is primarily diagnosed based on your symptoms and clinical assessment.
Because facial pain can have many different causes, getting the diagnosis right is an important first step. Dental problems, TMJ disorders, sinus conditions, migraine and other nerve-related conditions can sometimes cause similar symptoms. Dr Liu takes the time to distinguish trigeminal neuralgia from these other causes so that treatment can be directed at the underlying problem rather than simply treating the pain.
Why choose Dr Christopher Liu?
Living with trigeminal neuralgia can be frightening and exhausting, particularly when something as simple as eating, talking or brushing your teeth can trigger severe pain. Dr Christopher Liu has extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of complex pain conditions, including trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain. As a Pain Physician with more than 20 years of experience of seeing all types of facial pain across many different organ systems (Neurological, Dental, TMJ disorders), he is uniquely positioned to make a cross-disciplinary diagnosis and recommend an appropriate care plan. He also offers minimally invasive treatment for patients who fail conservative treament.
Dr Liu's approach is tailored to each patient. Depending on your symptoms, diagnosis and response to medication, he can discuss whether interventional treatments may be appropriate, including procedures that target the trigeminal nerve or Gasserian ganglion. The aim is not simply to manage the pain temporarily, but to understand what is causing your symptoms and develop a treatment plan suited to your individual situation.
Nerve Specialist
Facial Pain Expert
Safe Procedures
Minimally Invasive
Fast Recovery
No Brain Surgery
Nerve Specialist
Facial Pain Expert
Safe Procedures
Minimally Invasive
Fast Recovery
No Brain Surgery
Nerve Specialist
Facial Pain Expert
Safe Procedures
Minimally Invasive
Fast Recovery
No Brain Surgery
Nerve Specialist
Facial Pain Expert
Safe Procedures
Minimally Invasive
Fast Recovery
No Brain Surgery
Nerve Specialist
Facial Pain Expert
Safe Procedures
Minimally Invasive
Fast Recovery
No Brain Surgery
Nerve Specialist
Facial Pain Expert
Safe Procedures
Minimally Invasive
Fast Recovery
No Brain Surgery
Nerve Specialist
Facial Pain Expert
Safe Procedures
Minimally Invasive
Fast Recovery
No Brain Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to relief your pain? Take the next step with Dr Christopher Liu
Expert assessment and personalized care plans for trigeminal neuralgia and long-term facial pain relief.