Toggle navigation
533 Michigan Avenue Holland, MI 49423(616) 392-4198
  • blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Our Location
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Education

My Blog

Posts for tag: facial pain

Facial Nerve Pain can be Managed with Effective Treatment

By David Van Appledorn, DDS, PC
April 14, 2017
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: facial pain   trigeminal neuralgia  
FacialNervePaincanbeManagedwithEffectiveTreatment

Life would be harrowing if we had no ability to feel pain. Although experiencing it is unpleasant, pain's purpose is to alert us to something wrong in our body. Without pain diseases and other problems could worsen to the point of life-threatening.

But pain without a purpose — the nerves simply misfiring — can make life miserable. This can happen with the trigeminal nerves that exit the brain stem and end on each side of the face. Each nerve has three branches that serve the upper, middle and lower parts of the face and jaw.

When they don't work properly, trigeminal nerves can give rise to a disorder known as trigeminal neuralgia. Beginning often as an occasional twinge, they may escalate to several seconds of mild to excruciating pain occurring over weeks, months or even years. An episode may erupt from chewing, speaking or even lightly touching of the face.

We see this condition most often in people over fifty, particularly women. We don't know the exact cause, but there's strong suspicion that the nerve's protective sheath has been damaged, similar to what occurs with multiple sclerosis or other inflammatory conditions. Another possibility is a blood vessel putting pressure on the nerve and disrupting its normal operation. Such an impinged nerve might transmit pain signals at the slightest stimulation and then fail to “switch off” when the stimulation stops.

Although we can't cure trigeminal neuralgia, we can help you manage it and reduce discomfort during episodes. We'll first try conservative, less-invasive techniques, like signal-blocking medications or drugs that reduce abnormal firing.

If these aren't effective, we may then recommend a surgical solution. One such procedure is known as percutaneous treatment in which we insert a thin needle to selectively damage nerve fibers to prevent their firing. If we've determined an artery or vein has compressed the nerve, we might surgically relocate the vessel. These techniques can be quite effective but they do have possible side effects like numbness or hearing loss.

If you've experienced facial pain, don't continue to suffer. Visit us for a complete examination and learn about your options for pain relief. More than likely, there's a way to reduce your pain and improve your quality of life.

If you would like more information on facial pain, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Trigeminal Neuralgia.”

0 Comment(s) Permalink


Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • A Bonded Retainer Might be a Better Choice After Braces
        • National Children's Dental Health Month Highlights Importance of Baby Teeth
      • January (3)
        • Why Alfonso Ribeiro Is Grateful for Root Canal Treatment
        • Your Regular Dental Visits Might Change if You've had Gum Disease
        • Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Less-Invasive Pulp Capping Could Save Your Tooth
        • Bobby Bones Dances His Way to Dental Damage
        • Orthodontists Anticipate Future Facial Growth When Treating Poor Bites
      • November (3)
        • TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
        • Don't Let GERD Ruin Your Teeth's Health
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
      • October (3)
        • How to Maximize Your Child's Dental Health Potential
        • Understanding the Aging Process Leads to More Effective Orthodontics
        • 4 Signs Your Child May Have a Poor Bite
      • September (3)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • A Bonded Retainer Might Work for You after Orthodontic Treatment
        • Why Smoking and Dental Implants Don't Mix
      • August (3)
        • 'Tooth in One Day' Procedures Require Special Attention for Success
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • How to Treat the Problem of Teeth that Never Developed
      • July (3)
        • How to Reduce Tooth White Spots While Wearing Braces
        • Teenagers with Missing Teeth Usually Need a Temporary Restoration
        • A Royal Fix
      • June (3)
        • That Odd Looking Sore in Your Mouth is No Cause for Alarm
        • Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
        • The Right Treatment for Your Child's Injured Tooth Increases its Survival
      • May (4)
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • Root Canal Awareness Week: A Time to Learn How Teeth Are Saved
        • See How Well You're Removing Daily Plaque with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
        • Your Child Isn't in Danger from X-Rays Thanks to the ALARA Principle
      • April (2)
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • 3 Situations for Seeing a Periodontist
      • March (3)
        • 3 Tips for Helping Your Kids Develop Great Tooth-Friendly Habits
        • A "No-Prep" Veneer Could Eliminate the Need to Remove Tooth Enamel
        • Skater Adam Rippon's World-Class Smile
      • February (2)
        • Cracked Mouth Corners can be Irritating - Here's How to Treat Them
        • Why a Bonded Retainer Might be a Better Choice After Braces
      • January (2)
        • Root Decay in Your Later Years Could Endanger Your Teeth
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Have a Loose Tooth? You'll Need This Two-Phase Treatment to Save It
        • Certain People may Benefit from Antibiotics Before Implant Surgery
      • November (2)
        • Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
      • October (2)
        • Increase Bone Mass for Dental Implants through Grafting
        • These 3 Tasks Show How Saliva is Amazing
      • September (2)
        • Take Proactive Steps to Protect Your Oral Health During Cancer Treatment
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
      • August (3)
        • The 3 Top Causes for Tooth Sensitivity
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
        • A 4-Step Process for Achieving Your Highest Oral Health Possible
      • July (2)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Professional Whitening Offers an Effective Way to Restore Your Smile's Luster
      • June (2)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • Braces Take Advantage of Teeth's Natural Ability to Move
      • May (2)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Children with Chronic Health Conditions may Need Extra Dental Care
      • April (2)
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
        • Facial Nerve Pain can be Managed with Effective Treatment
      • March (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Safety is a Priority When Imaging Children's Teeth with X-Rays
      • February (3)
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
      • January (2)
        • A Retainer Helps You Keep Your New Smile After Braces
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
      • November (3)
        • Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
        • Answering Your Questions about Your Upcoming Teeth Whitening
      • October (2)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
      • September (2)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Grafting can Help Regenerate Gum Tissue Lost Through Recession
      • August (2)
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • Winning the War on Gum Disease Requires Post-Treatment Vigilance
      • July (3)
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • Don't Forget Hidden Fluoride Sources Your Family Could be Ingesting
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • June (2)
        • Antibiotic Resistance Requires Action - and a Change of Attitude
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • May (2)
        • Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
      • April (2)
        • There's a Good Reason for Adults to Consider Orthodontics - Better Oral Health
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
      • March (2)
        • A Retainer-Like Device can Preserve the Space Left by a Lost Primary Tooth
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
      • February (1)
        • While Usually Benign, Lichen Planus Lesions Should Still be Examined
      • January (3)
        • The Laser Revolution is Changing the Dental Healthcare
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • Anchorage Devices Provide More Accuracy, Less Treatment Time for Braces
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • There may be more to that Toothache that Suddenly Stops Aching
      • November (2)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • Crown Differences Could Ultimately Affect Your Cost
      • October (2)
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • Don't Panic! Take Methodical Approach to Help Your Child Stop Thumb Sucking
      • September (2)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Know the Risks and Benefits for Same-Day Tooth Replacement
      • August (2)
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • Some Birth Control Drugs Could Increase Risk of Gum Disease
      • July (3)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Crown Lengthening Opens up New Teeth Restoration Possibilities
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
      • June (2)
        • An Early Orthodontic Evaluation May Alert to Developing Bite Problems
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
      • May (2)
        • Setting the Record Straight on Root Canal Treatments
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
      • April (2)
        • Irritating Cold Sore Outbreaks can be Controlled Through Medication
        • Hilary Duff's Chipped Front Teeth Repaired with Veneers
      • March (2)
        • Work With Your Child's School to Encourage Healthy Snack Foods
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
      • February (3)
        • Customized Temporary Crowns let you 'Rehearse' Your Future Smile
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (45)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • crown (1)
  • orthodontics (8)
  • braces (7)
  • nutrition (2)
  • oral health (11)
  • veneers (2)
  • porcelain veneers (3)
  • cold sore (1)
  • oral hygiene (12)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • root canal (3)
  • wisdom teeth (3)
  • crown lengthening (1)
  • dental implants (9)
  • crowns (4)
  • gum disease (7)
  • birth control (1)
  • chipped teeth (1)
  • cosmetic dentistry (3)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (7)
  • athletic mouthguards (1)
  • tooth pain (1)
  • tooth decay (2)
  • orthodontic treatment (8)
  • anchorage devices (1)
  • laser dentistry (1)
  • lichen planus (1)
  • oral cancer (2)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • space maintainer (1)
  • periodontal disease (2)
  • antibiotics (2)
  • fluoride (1)
  • teeth whitening (4)
  • gum recession (1)
  • periodontal (gum) disease (1)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • tooth extraction (1)
  • toothpaste (1)
  • retainers (2)
  • partial denture (1)
  • dental emergency (1)
  • dental injury (5)
  • x-rays (1)
  • teeth grinding (1)
  • facial pain (1)
  • trigeminal neuralgia (1)
  • chipped tooth (3)
  • mouthguards (2)
  • bad breath (1)
  • sensitive teeth (1)
  • saliva (1)
  • bone grafting (1)
  • adult braces (1)
  • loose tooth (1)
  • retainer (2)
  • periodontist (1)
  • x-ray (1)
  • root canal treatment (2)
  • mouth sores (1)
  • bonding (1)
  • missing teeth (1)
  • smoking (1)
  • GERD (1)
  • tmj disorders (1)
  • pulp capping (1)
  • baby teeth (1)
  • bonded retainer (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Oral Health (45)
  • Dental Procedures (67)

Our Location

533 Michigan Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-4198

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday: 08:30 AM - 1:00 PM
02:00 PM -  05:00 PM
Tuesday: 08:30 AM - 1:00 PM
02:00 PM -  05:00 PM
Wednesday: 08:30 AM - 1:00 PM
02:00 PM -  05:00 PM
Thursday: 08:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Friday: 08:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Our Location
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dental Web Design Officite © 2016
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map