Teeth and trigeminal neuralgia

Abstract

1. Dental neuralgias, the so-called neuralgiform facial pains, pseudo- or false neuralgias, can appear with exactly the same characteristics as the genuine or true neuralgias. The two types of neuralgias are often confused, to the great injury of the patient. 2. In the majority of cases, the so-called genuine (true, idiopathic) neuralgias show upon closer examination a peripheral cause which is most often found in the dental system. 3. Dental neuralgias can originate from teeth which have been removed long before. The extraction can give causes in various ways to the development of pathologic changes within the jaws which can give rise to neuralgias many years later. 4. Dental neuralgias need not appear in the trigeminal region but can show up in other nerves in exceptional cases. 5. The diagnosis of dental neuralgias can often be especially difficult and necessitates the most careful examination not only of the teeth but also the jaws. One must in doubtful cases always take x-rays, especially of edentulous areas of the alveolar process. 6. The prognosis is good if the dental cause is found, as its removal can lead to complete health, even though it has existed for many years.