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― Nerve Pain & Trigeminal Neuralgia

Nerve Pain & Trigeminal Neuralgia: Diagnosis and Treatment.

Board-Certified Specialists · Torrance, California · 32+ Years of Experience

Facial nerve pain can be one of the most intense types of pain a person can experience. The good news: with the right specialist, it is treatable. Our board-certified team diagnoses and manages trigeminal neuralgia and other nerve-related face pain.

  • Board-Certified Orofacial Pain Specialists
  • Neurosensory Testing On-Site
  • Medicare Accepted
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Call (310) 933-3077
South Bay TMJ
Specialty Orofacial Pain Care
A woman sits across from a healthcare professional in an office, engaged in conversation with a clipboard and pen on the desk between them.

Nerve pain is real pain, even when nothing is injured.

Neuropathic (nerve-related) facial pain includes conditions like trigeminal neuralgia that cause sudden, severe pain in the face. These orofacial pain disorders happen when nerves in the face become damaged or irritated, sending pain signals even when there is no injury. Nerve pain in the face can be one of the most intense types of pain a person can experience, but it is treatable with the right specialist.

At South Bay TMJ, Sleep, Headache & Orofacial Pain Institute, Dr. Paul Grin and Dr. Eric Grin use specialized neurosensory testing and advanced treatment methods to diagnose and manage facial nerve pain conditions.
Pain that feels like an electric shock, comes from a light touch, or keeps returning after dental work may be a nerve problem, not a dental one. A focused evaluation can find the source. Meet Dr. Eric Grin →
― How It Works

Understanding facial nerve pain.

Your nervous system works like a communication network. Nerves carry signals between your brain and every part of your body. When these nerves work properly, they let you feel touch, temperature, and pain in normal, helpful ways. But when a nerve is damaged, compressed, or irritated, it can misfire and send pain signals to your brain even when nothing is actually wrong.

This type of pain is called neuropathic pain. It feels different from the aching of a sore muscle or the throbbing of an inflamed joint. People with nerve pain in the face often describe it as sharp, shooting, burning, or like an electric shock. The pain can come in sudden bursts or be a constant burning sensation, depending on the type of nerve damage.

The face has a complex network of nerves, but the most important one for facial sensation is the trigeminal nerve. This is the fifth cranial nerve, and it has three main branches that cover different parts of the face:

01

Ophthalmic branch. Covers the forehead, upper eyelid, and the top of the nose.

02
Maxillary branch. Covers the cheek, upper lip, upper teeth, and the side of the nose.
03
Mandibular branch. Covers the lower jaw, lower lip, lower teeth, and part of the ear.
Older woman touching her cheek with a pained expression, sitting in a kitchen, possibly experiencing tooth or jaw pain.
― Types

The main forms of facial nerve pain.

Nerve pain in the face shows up in different ways. Knowing which type you have points to the right treatment.

Type 01

Trigeminal Neuralgia

The most well-known facial nerve pain condition. It causes sudden attacks of severe, stabbing pain that usually last a few seconds to about two minutes, but can happen many times a day. The pain most often affects the lower face and jaw (V2 and V3 branches) and is almost always on one side. Common triggers include light touch, brushing teeth, chewing, talking, a breeze, or even smiling. It can be caused by a blood vessel pressing on the nerve, nerve damage, or conditions like multiple sclerosis. Sometimes no cause is found.
Type 02

Pain After Dental Procedures

Some patients develop ongoing nerve pain after root canals, tooth extractions, or other dental work, when a nerve is damaged during the procedure. It may feel like burning, tingling, numbness, or aching in the treated area. This pain is often misdiagnosed, and patients may have more dental procedures that do not help, because the real problem is nerve damage, not a dental issue.
Type 03

Other Facial Nerve Pain

Post-traumatic neuropathy: nerve pain after an injury to the face or jaw. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia: sharp pain in the throat and ear area. Occipital neuralgia: shooting pain from the back of the head toward the forehead. Atypical facial pain: ongoing facial pain that does not fit neatly into other categories.
― Symptoms

Could your face pain trace back to a nerve?

Nerve pain in the face can take different forms depending on the type and location of the nerve problem. This list is not a diagnosis, but it can help you describe what you feel.

Episodic nerve pain

Like trigeminal neuralgia
  • Sudden, sharp, stabbing, or electric-shock-like pain in the face
  • Pain triggered by everyday actions like chewing, talking, or touching your face
  • Attacks lasting seconds to minutes, but occurring many times a day
  • Pain-free periods between attacks, though these may shorten over time
  • Pain almost always on one side of the face

Constant nerve pain

Ongoing, not in bursts
  • Ongoing burning, aching, or tingling in the face or jaw
  • Numbness or a feeling that the skin is "crawling"
  • Increased sensitivity to touch or temperature
  • Pain that does not respond to typical pain medications

When to seek urgent care

If you experience sudden, severe facial pain for the first time, new numbness in your face, or facial weakness, see a doctor promptly to rule out serious conditions.

― Diagnosis

Getting the right diagnosis.

Diagnosing nerve pain in the face takes expertise because it can mimic other conditions like TMJ disorders, dental problems, sinus infections, and ear infections. At our practice, the process includes:

01

A detailed history of your pain. When it started, what it feels like, what triggers it, how long attacks last, and what treatments you have tried.

02

A thorough clinical exam of your face, jaw, head, and neck.

03

Neurosensory testing measures how well the nerves in your face are working and pinpoints which nerve is involved.

04

Testing to tell pain types apart, distinguishing nerve pain from myofascial pain or joint pain (TMJ disorders).

05

CT scans or MRI if needed to look for structural causes like blood vessel compression or nerve damage.

Getting the right diagnosis is critical, because nerve pain needs a different treatment approach than muscle or joint pain. Our specialists have the training and equipment to make this distinction accurately.
― Treatment

Treatments that target the nerve itself.

Facial nerve pain responds best to treatments aimed at the nerve. The right approach depends on the type and severity of your condition.
Medication

Medications

Nerve pain often does not respond to standard pain relievers like ibuprofen. Instead, medications made for nerve conditions are used. These may include anticonvulsants (such as carbamazepine or gabapentin), which reduce the nerve’s ability to fire pain signals, or low-dose antidepressants that help calm overactive nerve pathways.
Specialty · In-Office

Nerve Blocks

Nerve block injections deliver medication directly to the affected nerve to stop pain signals. This can provide immediate relief and help confirm the diagnosis by showing exactly which nerve is involved. Relief can last weeks to months, depending on the medication and the individual patient.
Learn more about nerve blocks →
In-Office

Botox Injections

Botox has shown promise for treating trigeminal neuralgia in patients who do not respond well to medications. It works by blocking the nerve signals that transmit pain. The injections are done in the office, and results typically last several months.
Learn more about Botox →
In-Office

Trigger Point Injections

When nerve pain overlaps with muscle pain, trigger point injections can address the muscular part. Some patients have both nerve and muscle pain contributing to their symptoms.
Learn more about trigger point injections →
Coordinated Care

Team-Based Care

For complex cases, our specialists work alongside neurologists, pain psychologists, and physical therapists to build a complete plan. This team approach matters most for patients with chronic nerve pain that affects their quality of life.
Conservative First

When Surgery Is Considered

Our practice uses conservative, non-surgical approaches. Surgery for trigeminal neuralgia (such as microvascular decompression) exists, but is considered only for severe cases and is performed by neurosurgeons. We can help coordinate a referral if surgery becomes necessary.

― Related Conditions

Nerve pain often shares the same neighborhood.

Facial pain rarely fits in one box. These related conditions can overlap with nerve pain, which is why an accurate diagnosis matters.

TMJ Disorders

Jaw-joint and muscle pain can be confused with nerve pain, and some patients have both at once.  TMJ disorders

Headaches & Migraines

Nerve-driven face pain and head pain can travel together and trigger one another. Headaches & migraines

Bruxism & Teeth Grinding

Muscle pain in the face and jaw can mimic or accompany nerve pain. Bruxism & teeth grinding
― FAQ

Common questions about nerve pain..

Practical answers from our board-certified specialists. These questions come directly from patients we see at the clinic.
What does trigeminal neuralgia feel like?

Trigeminal neuralgia causes sudden, intense pain in the face that many patients describe as an electric shock or a stabbing sensation. The pain usually lasts a few seconds to two minutes and can happen many times a day. It is often triggered by everyday actions like chewing, brushing your teeth, or a light touch to the face.

Can trigeminal neuralgia be caused by dental work?

Nerve damage from dental procedures can cause neuropathic pain that feels similar to trigeminal neuralgia. Root canals, extractions, and implant placement can sometimes injure nearby nerves. If you develop ongoing facial pain after dental work, see an orofacial pain specialist who can perform neurosensory testing to check for nerve damage.

How is nerve pain different from TMJ pain?

TMJ pain is usually a dull ache associated with jaw movement, clicking, or muscle soreness. Nerve pain tends to be sharp, shooting, or electric and can be triggered by light touch. However, some patients have both conditions at the same time. Specialized testing by an orofacial pain specialist can tell them apart and guide the right treatment.

Is trigeminal neuralgia a lifelong condition?

Trigeminal neuralgia is usually a chronic condition, but it can be managed effectively with the right treatment. Some patients experience long periods of remission where the pain goes away completely. The condition may change over time, so regular follow-up with your orofacial pain specialist helps adjust treatment as needed.

Can facial nerve pain affect my teeth?

Yes. Nerve pain in the face can cause sensations that feel like toothaches. The trigeminal nerve sends feeling to both the teeth and the surrounding facial areas. When this nerve is irritated, the pain can feel like it is coming from the teeth, even though the teeth are healthy. This is a common reason for misdiagnosis.

Dr. Eric Grin
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Eric Grin,
D.D.S., MPH

Board-Certified Orofacial Pain Specialist · Diplomate, American Board of Orofacial Pain · Assistant Professor, UCLA

Last Updated: April 24, 2026
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