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Neuroscience Services
Relief from Chronic Facial Pain
When adults experience pain in the face or jaw, the first call often is to the dentist. But neurologist Nima Mowzoon, M.D.,
usually sees these patients after a trip to the dentist reveals nothing wrong with the teeth or gums.
“Trigeminal neuralgia is the most common cause of facial pain,” Dr. Mowzoon says. “Unlike tooth pain, trigeminal
neuralgia causes quick bursts of stabbing, shock-like pain in the face.”
Often affecting the middle and lower parts of the face, trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder. When a blood vessel presses
on the trigeminal nerve—a nerve in the brain—the individual may experience this pain, which can be debilitating.
“Some may find the affected area is so sensitive that shaving or teeth-brushing becomes unbearable,” Dr. Mowzoon explains.
Diagnosis includes a medical history and an MRI of the brain. Treatment can include:
- Anti-seizure medication
- Muscle relaxers
- Surgery – microvascular decompression removes or separates the compressing blood vessel from the trigeminal nerve
- Rhizotomy – procedure used to destroy the trigeminal nerve through the application of heat, mechanical compression of
the nerve with a microscopic balloon, and injection of chemicals into the nerve
- Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery – involves no knives or cutting, but instead uses high-powered X-rays to deliver
radiation therapy to destroy part of the nerve
Dr. Mowzoon says most instances of trigeminal neuralgia are idiopathic—meaning they are caused by unknown factors—but many are believed to be due to compression of the trigeminal nerve by a blood vessel. Less common causes of facial pain
include compression from an aneurysm or a tumor affecting the trigeminal nerve, and less often, multiple sclerosis.
“In idiopathic cases, there is no risk to the patient if he or she does not seek treatment,” Dr. Mowzoon says. “If the patient
can tolerate the pain, then treatment isn’t necessary. However, most patients find relief from one or more treatment
methods, so there’s no need to endure this pain.”
Nima Mowzoon, M.D.
Florida Neurology Group
12670 Whitehall Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33907
239-936-3554
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