People who suffer from facial pain might not be clear on the differences between facial pain, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and TMJ pain. Finding a dentist who knows and understands how to diagnose each of these and provide specialized treatment in Noblesville might have been a challenge.
Ongoing facial pain is a serious matter as it can have a significant impact on your ability to eat, sleep, work, or just look and feel your best. Chewing food usually exacerbates facial pain, and sleep can be nearly impossible without unhealthy doses of painkillers. But who do you turn to for relief?
Dr. Mike Deldar at Deldar Dental in Noblesville:
"Trigeminal Neuralgia can dramatically reduce the quality of life. It is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve that carries sensation from your face to your brain. The debilitating pain can be so severe that even minor activities such as brushing your teeth, shaving, or putting on make-up can trigger a jolt of excruciating pain."
Trigeminal neuralgia is caused by a blood vessel pressing against the trigeminal nerve. Over time, the pulse of an artery rubbing against the nerve can wear away the sheath or insulation, called myelin, that surrounds the nerve. This leaves the nerve exposed and highly sensitive.
While both Temporomandibular Joint pain (TMJ) and
Trigeminal Neuralgia cause severe facial pain, the causes and nature of the pain are different.
With TMJ disorders, facial pain is caused by a misaligned bite, and issues with the meniscus in the jaw joints. TMJ pain feels more like arthritis and can lead to migraine headaches. Trigeminal Neuralgia pain is different - it is sharp like an electrical jolt and is usually only on one side of the face.
