Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) has been described as th”Suicide Disorder” and the worst pain known to man. The are numerous surgical procedures that include “Cyber Knife Surgery” , Decompression Surgery, Radiofrequency surgery and other drastic surgical procedures that can be used as a last resort.
Physiologic Dentistry and utilization of painless Autonomic Trigeminal Blocks may be the best method of treatment for many patients.
Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic pain condition of the 5th (trigeminal) cranial nerve. This is the largest nerves entering the brain after amplification by the Reticular Activating System, accounting for over 50% of total input to the brain. Trigeminal Neuralgia causes sudden, extreme, and sporadic shock-like face pain that can last between a few seconds and two minutes.
The patterns vary among individuals and over time and the episodes can happen in rapid succession. They vary in intensity can be incredibly physically and mentally incapacitating. TN may run in families and is more commonly found in women and in people over 50 years old. Many patients have trigeminal nerve pain that is not the classical Trigemina Neuralgia
There are numerous medications that are also used to treat Trigeminal Neuralgia that often have severe side effects and may not work.
There is a place for all of these procedures if the pain is severe and non-relenting but there are safer approaches that can be extremely effective as well. These procedures can be used alone or conbined with medication.
The Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) is a passageway for the Autonomic branches of the Trigeminal Nerve. SPG Blocks are incredibally safe and can be very effective in the treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia. There is a new twist to the Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block called the MiRX Protocol that uses a trademarked device called the tRX360.
The utilization of nasal drips through hollow canula applicator tipped cotton swabs is my preferred method of delivering SPG Blocks partially because of simplicity and low cost but primarily is that patients can be taught to self administer in their homes and offices and often have miraculous results for Trigeminal Neuralgia, prevention of Migraines and Chronic Daily Headaches.
The medications are Lidocaine or Marcaine common dental anaesthetics.
What, specifically, is SPG? Would a Lidocaine patch work? I have Trigeminal Neuralgia with shock pain lasting as long a 11 minutes, often with strobe like attacks afterwards. It also happens at night, face to pillow. My neurologist / sleep study Doc wants to do a full face apnea mask. I’m hearing that may worsen my TN. What do you think. Please answer these questions specifically.
Thank You. Lynda
The SPG is the SphenoPalatine Ganglion, the larges parasympathetic ganglia of the head that also contains sympathetic fiber. It also contains branches of the trigeminal nerve and an SPG Block may be helpful in treating your trigeminal neuralgia. You may want to consider an intra-oral appliance as an alternative to CPAP.