Nerve Injury

Signs and Symptoms

Nerve injuries affecting the trigeminal nerve can cause episodes of intense, stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where the branches of the trigeminal nerve are distributed, including the lips, eyes, nose, scalp, forehead, upper jaw and lower jaw.

Diagnosis

In making a diagnosis of trigeminal nerve injuries, your surgeon will start by conducting a thorough clinical examination. He/she also will ask about any previous dental procedures that may have caused the condition, as well symptoms you may be experiencing. This information helps to rule out other conditions that cause facial pain, such as diseases of the teeth, gums or jaw.

Imagining tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans of the brain, may be conducted. These tests are used to eliminate some causes of trigeminal neuralgia, such as tumors, aneurysms or multiple sclerosis

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) -- An MRI of the head is a non-invasive procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to construct clear, detailed pictures of brain tissues.

• Computed Tomography (CT) -- Also known as a CT scan, this test is a method of body imaging in which a thin X-ray beam rotates around the patient. A computer then analyzes the data to construct a cross-sectional image. These images can be stored, viewed on a monitor or printed on film.

Treatments

While medications may be used to manage many cases of nerve injury, they do not provide a permanent solution. Surgery may be required for some patients. Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons offer a variety of surgical approaches, including:

• Nerve decompression
• Nerve repair from inside and outside of the mouth
• Nerve grafting using nerves from the neck and foot