Nerve Pain

All pain in the head and neck can be concerning, but nerve pain has the potential to be particularly alarming due to its ability to strike without warning. The unpredictability, extreme intensity, and unique feel of nerve pain all contribute to the emotional impact it has on those who suffer from it. Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain, can be present even when all of the anatomical structures appear normal. This may confuse patients and providers, leading to incorrect and unnecessary treatment. Your orofacial pain specialist will take the extra time other providers often don’t have to make the diagnosis and create a personalized treatment plan. The comprehensive examination and advanced imaging available at Tennessee Orofacial Pain ensure that you will receive a complete pain evaluation and that no stone is left unturned. Several characteristics of nerve pain can be found below.

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    Shocking

    Short lasting electric-like sensations. Common in trigeminal neuralgia.

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    Burning

    Longer lasting fire-like sensations. Common in burning mouth syndrome and post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain.

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    Sensitivity

    Extreme sensitivity to touch, often by things that would not normally cause pain.

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    Odd or Absent Sensation

    Unusual sensations or numbness in the area of pain. Possibly tingling, prickling, crawling, or lack of sensation.