Although all cases of trigeminal neuralgia are caused by irritation of the trigeminal nerve, not all trigeminal nerve irritations result in trigeminal neuralgia. Other possible diagnoses include:
- Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (herpes zoster, shingles)
- Pain after dental procedures with the development of a focal neuroma
- Temporal tendinitis
- Irritation of the styomandibular ligament (Ernest syndrome)
- Focal nerve irritation/neuralgia from sinus disease or other causes (infraorbital neuralgia, Sluder’s neuralgia, anterior ethmoid neuralgia, pterygopalatine ganglion neuralgia, or sphenopalatine ganglion neuralgia)
From:
http://www.amentheadachecenter.com/headaches/trigeminal-neuralgia/