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Trigeminal Neuralgia: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

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Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), the most common of the facial neuralgias, is an extremely debilitating disorder that is characterized by severe electric shock-like neuropathic pain that is localized to one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. It can have a serious impact on an individual’s life and is often first encountered by dentists and general practitioners. Although a treatable and usually manageable condition, appropriate diagnosis remains a factor that plagues this disease. The objective of this article is to summarize the current literature surrounding the classification, epidemiology, presentation, and pathophysiology of TN while also including the current and evidence-based knowledge on the diagnosis and treatment options. It provides a baseline from which dental and medical colleagues alike can help manage patients suffering from this devastating neuralgia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Michael Silva

  2. Department of Clinical Sciences, Pharmacology & Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward Street Room 513, Toronto, ON, M5G 1G6, Canada

    Aviv Ouanounou

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  1. Michael Silva
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Correspondence to Aviv Ouanounou.

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Silva, M., Ouanounou, A. Trigeminal Neuralgia: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. SN Compr. Clin. Med. 2, 1585–1592 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-020-00415-9

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