Facial Pain, TMJ and Nerve Repair

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD), Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) and Trigeminal nerve injury are the three most common causes of facial and chewing pain. Drs. John Stella, Mike Warner and Mike Zide of Fort Worth’s Facial & Oral Surgery Associates are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of TMD, TMJ and Trigeminal nerve problems. Drs. Stella, Warner and Zide believe that an accurate diagnosis is imperative before any regimen of treatment of TMD, TMJ or Trigeminal nerve begins. Non-invasive treatments are usually successful averting the need for surgery. Facial & Oral Surgery Associates is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostics for the diagnosis of TMD, TMJ and Trigeminal nerve disorders.

About Facial Pain

Head and neck discomfort may range from simple headaches to debilitating pain.

Commonly treated problems:

• Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) popping and locking
• Trigeminal nerve injury

Causes:

Facial pain is the crossroad of many different specialties. It may originate from ear infections, abscessed teeth, jaw muscle spasms, TMJ disorders, facial nerves, sinusitis or tumors. The trigeminal nerve, which controls sensory feeling to the face, may be injured by facial fractures or by the extraction of a lower tooth. On occasion this nerve may heal abnormally, producing severe facial pain.

Treatment:

The key to resolving facial pain problems is to make the correct diagnosis. TMD can involve pain originating from muscles, ears, blood vessels, nerves or within the joint itself. The most common source of pain is from inflamed muscles associated with excessive teeth clenching or grinding. Oral splints, physical therapy and medications are common remedies.

The TMJ is susceptible to the same diseases as all other joints in the body such as arthritis or displaced cartilage discs. If internal TMJ problems do not respond to non-surgical remedies, then arthroscopy or surgery will be required to correct the joint pathology.

Facial trauma or surgical trauma can injure nerves resulting in loss of sensation or painful sensation of the facial skin or tongue. Early detection and repair of the injured nerve significantly improves the chances of sensation return.

Outcome:

• Eliminate or manage pain
• Restore and improve jaw joint function
• Restore or improve sensation of the face or tongue