Nerve Pain
Persistent Facial Pain That Burns, Stabs, or Shocks?
You May Be Experiencing a Nerve-Related Orofacial Pain Disorder.
Neuropathic facial pain, whether it's sharp and electric (neuralgia), burning or tingling (neuropathy), or lingering pain after dental work or trauma, is different from typical muscle or tooth pain. It often stems from nerve irritation or injury, and doesn’t improve with routine dental treatments.
At our center, we help patients uncover the true cause of their pain and find long-overdue relief with advanced, evidence-based care.
Learn About Nerve Pain
What is orofacial nerve pain?
Nerve pain—also called neuropathic or neuralgic pain—occurs when the nerves that carry sensation from your face, mouth, jaw, or neck to the brain become irritated, damaged, or dysfunctional. Unlike muscle or joint pain, nerve pain feels different and doesn’t usually respond to routine dental or over-the-counter pain treatments.
Patients often describe nerve pain as:
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Sharp, stabbing, or electric-shock-like (common in neuralgia)
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Burning, tingling, or pins-and-needles (seen in neuropathy)
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Numbness, crawling sensations, or increased sensitivity to touch
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Pain triggered by gentle activities like talking, chewing, brushing, or even wind
Facial nerve pain can be constant or intermittent and may have no visible signs—making it especially frustrating to live with and easy to misdiagnose. If you've been told “everything looks fine” but still have unexplained facial or oral pain, a nerve-related condition may be the cause.
At Advanced TMJ Maxillofacial Pain & Sleep Center, we take these symptoms seriously. As specialists in orofacial nerve pain, we combine advanced diagnostic techniques and personalized care to help you find relief and get answers.
What types of nerve pain affect the face and jaw?
Orofacial nerve pain can stem from injury, irritation, or dysfunction of the nerves that serve the face, jaw, mouth, tongue, throat, or scalp. Understanding the type of nerve pain is the key to proper diagnosis and treatment.
Here are the most common nerve pain conditions we diagnose and treat:
Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN)
Sudden, stabbing or electric-shock pain on one side of the face, often triggered by brushing teeth, chewing, or even light touch. Pain follows the path of the trigeminal nerve—affecting the forehead, cheek, or jaw.
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
Intense, sharp pain in the back of the throat, base of the tongue, tonsil area, or ear, usually triggered by swallowing or speaking.
Occipital Neuralgia
Piercing or throbbing pain that begins at the base of the skull and radiates to the back of the head or behind the eyes. Often misdiagnosed as tension headaches or migraines.
Post-Traumatic Trigeminal Neuropathy (PTTNP)
Burning, aching, or tingling pain following dental work, trauma, or facial surgery. Often persistent and misattributed to dental issues.
Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
Chronic burning, tingling, or dry sensation in the tongue, lips, or mouth—without visible signs. Common in postmenopausal women; may be linked to nerve dysfunction or hormonal changes.
Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain (PIFP)
Continuous, poorly localized facial pain that doesn’t follow any nerve pattern. Often described as pressure-like or dull and may be mistaken for dental or sinus pain.
Post-Surgical Nerve Pain
Pain that lingers or worsens after extractions, implants, or root canal treatment—sometimes due to nerve injury or sensitization.
Oromandibular Dyskinesia (Facial & Jaw Movement Disorder)
Involuntary, repetitive or sustained muscle contractions in the face, tongue, and jaw caused by dysfunction in basal ganglia motor pathways (idiopathic, inherited, drug-induced, trauma)
Each of these conditions has a unique presentation and requires a tailored approach. At our Seattle-based specialty center, we combine expert diagnosis, targeted therapies, and collaborative care to help patients get clarity—and relief.
Who is at risk for nerve-related facial pain?
Orofacial nerve pain can affect anyone—but certain groups are more likely to develop it due to anatomical, hormonal, procedural, or neurological factors. These conditions often go unrecognized, especially when symptoms mimic dental problems, sinus infections, or TMJ disorders.
Groups commonly affected by nerve pain in the face, jaw, or head:
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Adults over age 40, especially women
Hormonal shifts and age-related nerve sensitivity increase risk. -
Postmenopausal women
Particularly vulnerable to Burning Mouth Syndrome and neuropathic pain. -
Individuals with a history of facial trauma or surgery
Dental extractions, root canals, implants, or jaw surgery can injure nerves and cause chronic pain. -
Patients with TMJ disorders or myofascial pain
These conditions often coexist with nerve pain and may amplify symptoms. -
People with autoimmune or chronic pain conditions
Fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, or lupus can affect nerve function. -
Individuals with central sensitization or psychological stress
Conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression can heighten nerve sensitivity and pain perception. -
Those with previous nerve injury or infection
Viral infections like shingles (herpes zoster) can lead to post-herpetic neuralgia.
Common symptoms seen in these patients:
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Sudden electric-shock pain
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Burning, tingling, or numbness
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Pain after dental work without obvious cause
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Pain triggered by mild touch, chewing, or cold air
Nerve pain can be debilitating, especially when misdiagnosed. That’s why it’s critical to be evaluated by a specialist trained in Orofacial Pain and neuropathic disorders.
What does nerve pain feel like?
Orofacial nerve pain feels very different from typical muscle or joint pain. It often has a sudden, sharp, or burning quality—and may be triggered by seemingly harmless activities like talking, chewing, or light touch.
Common sensory descriptions of nerve-related facial pain:
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Electric-shock or stabbing pain
Often seen in trigeminal or glossopharyngeal neuralgia—brief, intense, and triggered by brushing teeth, eating, or wind. -
Burning or tingling sensations
Common in neuropathies or Burning Mouth Syndrome, often constant and difficult to localize. -
Numbness, crawling, or altered sensations
Patients may feel "pins and needles," dullness, or strange crawling sensations in the lips, tongue, or cheeks. -
Persistent deep ache
Seen in post-surgical neuropathies or Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain—dull but unrelenting and poorly localized. -
Referred pain to ears, teeth, or eyes
Despite normal dental or ENT exams, patients may feel pain in areas served by irritated or injured nerves. -
Hypersensitivity or allodynia
Even light touch or mild temperature changes can trigger disproportionate pain.
Because these symptoms mimic other dental or medical issues, many patients go years without a correct diagnosis. If your facial pain doesn’t improve with standard dental treatments—or worsens after procedures—it’s time to consult a provider trained in diagnosing orofacial nerve disorders.
How is facial nerve pain diagnosed?
Diagnosing orofacial nerve pain requires specialized knowledge, as symptoms can mimic dental, muscular, sinus, or joint-related issues. At Advanced TMJ Maxillofacial Pain & Sleep Center, our approach goes beyond routine exams—we apply advanced diagnostic techniques to identify the exact source of pain.
Our diagnostic process includes:
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Comprehensive health and pain history
We document how your pain started, what it feels like, potential triggers, medical or dental procedures, and emotional stressors. -
Cranial nerve and sensory testing
We assess the function of nerves in your face, jaw, tongue, throat, and neck to detect areas of numbness, hypersensitivity, or altered sensation. -
Pain mapping and localization
Helps us determine whether the pain follows a nerve distribution or involves overlapping muscle and joint sources. -
Assessment of past dental work or surgery
Many nerve pain cases arise after extractions, root canals, implant placement, or trauma—often overlooked in routine evaluations. -
Imaging studies (CBCT, MRI)
Used when red flags like unexplained numbness, progressive symptoms, or suspected tumors or infections are present. -
Interdisciplinary collaboration
We work closely with neurologists, ENT specialists, oral surgeons, and radiologists when necessary for complex cases.
Why it matters:
Accurate diagnosis is critical to avoid unnecessary procedures and start targeted therapy. Misdiagnosis can lead to repeated dental work, unnecessary surgeries, or ineffective medications that worsen the condition. Seeing an Orofacial Pain Specialist ensures your care is precise and evidence-based.
What if my pain started after dental work?
Facial or jaw pain that begins after dental procedures, such as extractions, root canals, implant placement, or jaw surgery, may indicate post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTNP) or other nerve-related injuries. These types of pain are often overlooked or misdiagnosed as routine dental issues, leading to unnecessary treatments.
Common signs of post-dental nerve pain include:
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Burning, tingling, or numbness in the lips, tongue, gums, or chin
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Persistent pain despite normal dental imaging
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Electric or shooting pain near the site of the procedure
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Sensitivity to touch, brushing, or speaking
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Pain that worsens rather than improves over time
Why does this happen?
Dental work can irritate or injure branches of the trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation to the face and mouth. Even minor trauma, if close to a nerve canal, can trigger long-lasting pain if not addressed early.
Our approach:
At Advanced TMJ Maxillofacial Pain & Sleep Center, we specialize in identifying and treating post-surgical or post-dental nerve injuries. Dr. Chandrashekhar performs a thorough clinical and sensory evaluation, reviews your dental and surgical history, and, if needed, refers for advanced imaging. Early intervention improves outcomes. So don’t wait if pain persists.
Bottom line:
If your pain started after dental work and hasn’t resolved, it may be nerve-related. Get evaluated by a specialist trained in orofacial nerve pain before undergoing more dental procedures.
How is nerve pain in the jaw or face treated?
Treating nerve-related facial pain requires a targeted, multidisciplinary approach that is different from standard dental or muscular pain treatments. At Advanced TMJ Maxillofacial Pain & Sleep Center, we offer personalized, evidence-based care aimed at calming nerve irritation, restoring function, and improving quality of life.
Bottom line: Orofacial nerve pain is manageable, but only when treated with the right tools and expertise. Our customized treatment plans address not just the symptoms, but the root neurological cause to help you reclaim comfort and function.
Why choose us for nerve pain care?
At Advanced TMJ Maxillofacial Pain & Sleep Center, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of complex orofacial nerve pain conditions—ranging from trigeminal neuralgia and post-traumatic neuropathy to burning mouth syndrome and persistent idiopathic facial pain. Many of our patients come to us after years of misdiagnosis, unnecessary dental work, or ineffective treatments.
Why patients trust us:
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Board-Certified Expertise:
Dr. Hemamalini Chandrashekhar is a board-certified Orofacial Pain specialist and dual-trained Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, and dental sleep medicine. -
Precise Diagnostics:
We use a comprehensive evaluation process—including cranial nerve testing, sensory mapping, and pain pattern recognition—to differentiate between neuropathic, musculoskeletal, and referred pain sources. -
Personalized, Multimodal Treatment Plans:
Whether your pain began spontaneously or after a dental procedure, we offer evidence-based therapies such as topical or oral medications, trigger point management, low-level laser therapy, and neuromodulators like Botox. -
Collaborative, Whole-Person Care:
We recognize the emotional and psychological toll nerve pain can take. Our approach includes lifestyle support, stress management, and referrals to neurologists or pain specialists when needed. -
Advanced Technology & Patient-Centered Focus:
From CBCT imaging to ultrasound-guided diagnostics and minimally invasive therapies, we use the latest tools to ensure accurate diagnosis and gentle, effective care.
If you’re experiencing unexplained facial pain, electric shocks, burning, or tingling that isn’t resolving with routine care—know that there is help. Let our experienced team help you uncover the root cause and find lasting relief.
