Trigeminal Neuralgia - An Oral Surgeon's Perspective

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) or Tic Douloureux is a type of craniofacial pain caused by affliction of the fifth cranial nerve (5th CN). Trigeminal neuralgia is perhaps the most painful disorder to affect mankind. The disorder is characterized by its "seizure-like" attacks of pain to designated areas of the face that are supplied by the trigeminal nerve. It is a well-known medical condition for quite some time, but its etiopathogenesis is yet to be fully understood. The diagnosis is based on subjective pain perception rather than laboratory findings. The characteristic signs and symptoms and response to distinctive set of therapeutic modalities helps not only in disease identification but also unveils the underlying pathogeneticmechanism. The management of trigeminal neuralgia is difficult. The rapid establishment of a correct diagnosis and prompt institution of treatment is a necessity.