Thank you Sabrina, so far, I’ve been okay. Although my pain threshold is much higher than it used to be! I have been taking the pain med whenever the pain is even beginning to rumble deep in my ear… A friend in the med field told me prior to the pain getting bad is the best time to take it. It’s holding things back… I think. I’m fortunate in that regard. My face keeps swelling on that side toward the end of the day.
As far as dentists go… A second date with a pediatric dentist is what pointed me in the right direction for a diagnosis! I was with him when I had an attack. At that time I thought I had tmj. He told me to talk to my dr and see a neurologist.
My dating life has come to a halt. I’m always tired and I don’t think anyone wants a broken single mom who is always tired and gaining weight. Depressing.
I’m just trying to hang in there like the rest of you.
Thank you for everything.
Sabrina Ellis said:
I think it is underdiagnosed.Dentists should become more educated about tn.I hope you having a root canal solves all your pain but I had the same hope for myself and it just didn’t solve the problem.I had 2 root canals but still had pain and those 2 teeth were pulled.Then they told me I needed a root canal on my third tooth but rather than paying for a root canal,I told them to pull it.I believed after having the last tooth pulled all my pain would go away.It didn’t happen.The 3 teeth I had pulled were 18,19,and 20 on my left lower jaw,the tn is on my left side.I hope the root canal completely stops your pain because nobody deserves a diagnoses of tn.
Hi Robyn. I’m Una and i’ve only joined this support group. I just wanted to say that i believe that the cause of my TN was due to a root canal aswell. I was also pain free before this procedure.
After months of going back to my dentist and seeing oral surgeons i was recently disagnoised with TN.
Hope your doing well.
Hi Una! Thank you for letting me know. I don’t know about you, but I feel like everyone tries to discredit the idea that a root canal caused the TN. It’s frustrating! The people on this site have provided me with more support and info than any doctor or website. I look forward to getting to know you.
Robyn
Una Mullan said:
Hi Robyn. I’m Una and i’ve only joined this support group. I just wanted to say that i believe that the cause of my TN was due to a root canal aswell. I was also pain free before this procedure. After months of going back to my dentist and seeing oral surgeons i was recently disagnoised with TN.
Hope your doing well.
Hi. Many years ago I went for root canal on a tooth due to it having been damaged in an accident. I had no Trigeminal Neuralgia prior to this dental treatment and now have it for the last 3 years. The link between the 2 has only been brought to my attention in the last few months. Although one thing is having the knowledge it may be the cause the reality is what can i do about it?? Sorry if I sound synical but it is sooo frustrating that this may have been the cause yet not reversible and nothing to do about it. I remember also that the root canal was particularly aggressive (for someone who has never minded sitting in the dentists chair).
Karen x
I was diagnosed in May 2009. I went to my dentist complaining of pain. He referred me to an endodontist. He wasn’t sure which tooth was causing the pain. He performed a root canal. It took several weeks to heal. Approximately, a year later the pain returned in the spot. I went to my dentist of course he sent me back to the endodontist. He performed a root canal. It took forever. When I checked out they told me that the root canal was performed on my wisdom tooth. They said it was marked incorrectly. After the root canal, I still had pain. I went back he assured me the nerve was gone. It took many months to heal. In May of 2009, the pain returned. I was so close to going to the hospital. I was diagnosed and placed on medication. The medication worked, but I thought I should start to wean myself off after several months. Of course a year to the day it returned. Now they want to put splints in my mouth. Of course they are not covered by the insurance. The pain is back and the Gabapentin is not working. I think I have to break down and try the splints. I know the dentists are responsible for my pain. If they were not sure of my condition, why do two root canals, especially not knowing one was my wisdom tooth. Perhaps, if they suggested removing my wisdom tooth, I would not be in pain today.
one must be aware of the differences in nerve injury. TN is caused by a compression to the nerve. this can be vascular in origin, a tumor or bony anatomy. trigeminal neuropathic pain is caused by a traumatic injury to the nerve. this would include dental work, surgical trauma, accidents, etc.
the difference between these two types of injury is usually 1) neuropathic pain is constant, burning or aching, with associated numbness at times and 2) TN is usually electric like in quality and can be episodic.
if your pain started after dental work; it is important to consider trigeminal neuropathic pain as a diagnosis, because this type of injury is managed mostly by medications. destructive procedures are contraindicated for this type of injury and usually worsen the pain. it is important to be seen by an astute neurologist and to provide accurate history details to ensure you arrive at an accurate diagnosis. words matter, because they dictate the type of treatment given.
Nope. I went to a dentist when my tooth was bothering me and it was obviously in trouble and needed a root canal. Even I could see the damage on the xray. After the root canal the pain began. I first thought it was a complication from the root canal , went back to the dentist and had it checked out. Then to the gp who said it might be sinus, had a ct scan. Then to the ent, more crap looked at. Then, he said it was tmj. Finally I had a date with a dentist and during our date had a flare up. He suggested tn. Then, more tests (you know the drill). When the dr have me trileptal it made an immediate difference. I did not have anything remotely like this prior to the root canal.
Joy said:
Most dentists never see a case of TN in their entire professional careers. Is it possible that you had TN before the root canal?
Hi Robyn,
I’m sorry that you’ve been through so much. I’ve been through 3 root canals, all of which were unnecessary in my case but I was desperate due to the pain and the dentist kept promising me that he had the answer for me. My pain started before I saw the dentist though.
Are you saying you think the dentist caused your TN?
I do think the root canal caused this. My root canal was right in the area where the nerve branches out. I know that it was accidental, but I do think it caused a disruption in the nerve path which began the journey down this very crummy road. I know mine isnt as bad as many people. It has just turned my entire life upside down. I had the root canal in sept. And was diagnosed in jan. The pain began right after the root canal.
Joy said:
Hi Robyn, I’m sorry that you’ve been through so much. I’ve been through 3 root canals, all of which were unnecessary in my case but I was desperate due to the pain and the dentist kept promising me that he had the answer for me. My pain started before I saw the dentist though.
Are you saying you think the dentist caused your TN?
You have pain and thats what matters. You’ve gotten some very informative replies here. Some great information. I encourage you to read them over again.
Last time I need a cavity repair I decided to go without the novocaine and the dentist was visibly relieved - he admitted he didn’t want to administer anything near my touchy nerve (my words not his!!!). It was fine and I was glad that I made that choice as I was in a lovely period of remission…
Lizzie
Debi said:
I have TN pains on lower left side. X-rays have shown a small cavity on the upper right side and I am afraid to have it fixed. I don’t want the novacaine to start causing pains on the right side. Any comments on this??
I am terrified to have my teeth even cleaned now b/c I don’t want more pain to flare up!!
Lizzie said:
Last time I need a cavity repair I decided to go without the novocaine and the dentist was visibly relieved - he admitted he didn’t want to administer anything near my touchy nerve (my words not his!!!). It was fine and I was glad that I made that choice as I was in a lovely period of remission…
Lizzie
Debi said:
I have TN pains on lower left side. X-rays have shown a small cavity on the upper right side and I am afraid to have it fixed. I don’t want the novacaine to start causing pains on the right side. Any comments on this??
Hello. Yes, I think my TN began with dental work. I actually have been diagnosed with neuralgia but haven’t yet started treatment yet. I’ve been to many, many doctors and dentists before being diagnosed with this. But yes, I was healthy, happy and had no problems until I had some dental work done. The pain has been excruciating. Every day I wish I could take that day back that I went to that particular dentist.
I do think the root canal caused this. My root canal was right in the area where the nerve branches out. I know that it was accidental, but I do think it caused a disruption in the nerve path which began the journey down this very crummy road. I know mine isnt as bad as many people. It has just turned my entire life upside down. I had the root canal in sept. And was diagnosed in jan. The pain began right after the root canal.
Joy said:
Hi Robyn, I’m sorry that you’ve been through so much. I’ve been through 3 root canals, all of which were unnecessary in my case but I was desperate due to the pain and the dentist kept promising me that he had the answer for me. My pain started before I saw the dentist though. Are you saying you think the dentist caused your TN?
I think I’m headed down the road that some other people might be headed. I have two teeth pulled already on the side of my neuralgia, and am wondering if having root canals or having the other teeth pulled will solve the problem, but from what I’ve read, other people have tried that too and it didn’t work. That is very depressing. This has turned my life upside down too because before all this, I was a happy, healthy person. Now, I’m just moping all the time…But I do think some people have it much worse than I do and I feel for them…
IES, I understand (insofar as I’ve felt like you described). I am trying so very hard not to complain And accept that this is not life threatening, but is quite literally a pain in the… Face. It hurts so badly sometimes And other times i have a constant aching. I hate being on so much medication, but I can’t function without it. I can’t stress enough how helpful it is to hear everyone elses experiences. It gives credence to what I’m feeling and experiencing when those around just don’t have a clue.
Bless all of you
IES said:
I think I’m headed down the road that some other people might be headed. I have two teeth pulled already on the side of my neuralgia, and am wondering if having root canals or having the other teeth pulled will solve the problem, but from what I’ve read, other people have tried that too and it didn’t work. That is very depressing. This has turned my life upside down too because before all this, I was a happy, healthy person. Now, I’m just moping all the time…But I do think some people have it much worse than I do and I feel for them…
IES, I understand (insofar as I’ve felt like you described). I am trying so very hard not to complain And accept that this is not life threatening, but is quite literally a pain in the… Face. It hurts so badly sometimes And other times i have a constant aching. I hate being on so much medication, but I can’t function without it. I can’t stress enough how helpful it is to hear everyone elses experiences. It gives credence to what I’m feeling and experiencing when those around just don’t have a clue.
Bless all of you
IES said:
I think I’m headed down the road that some other people might be headed. I have two teeth pulled already on the side of my neuralgia, and am wondering if having root canals or having the other teeth pulled will solve the problem, but from what I’ve read, other people have tried that too and it didn’t work. That is very depressing. This has turned my life upside down too because before all this, I was a happy, healthy person. Now, I’m just moping all the time…But I do think some people have it much worse than I do and I feel for them…
