Trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic pain condition affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. When suffering from this condition even mild stimulation of the face through actions like applying makeup or brushing the teeth, can cause immense pain in the face. Patients may describe the pain initially as short mild bouts of discomfort, progressing overtime into long-lasting and excruciating pain. At times, the pain can be controlled with anti-inflammatory medications, but in some situations, more effective medical procedures may be required. Board-certified dentist, Dr. Todd McCracken at Laser Smile Studio in Denton, TX offers an effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia.

Trigeminal neuralgia can reveal itself in a number of different manners over a period of time. At times, patients will confuse the discomfort with that of a severe toothache. Patients suffering from this condition, commonly note these symptoms.

• Severe, shooting pain that occasionally feels like an electric shock
• Bouts of pain that seem to be triggered by teeth brushing, or makeup applying
• Pain that comes on suddenly and subsides quickly
• Repeated bouts of sharp pain over a period of weeks and months
• Spasms in the face, followed by burning and aching
• Chronic pain in the eyes, forehead, lips, jaw and teeth
• Localized pain on one side of the face, at times confused for tooth ache
• Sporadic pain increasing in frequency over time

Dr. McCracken is proficient in laser dentistry and is excited to offer his Laser Smile Studio patients a minimally invasive treatment option for trigeminal neuralgia. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is the use of laser technology to treat facial pain and discomfort through nerve tissue regeneration. Laser therapy is quickly gaining popularity in the medical and dental fields because it has an advanced ability to provide reduced invasion treatment for a broad number of conditions. In recent controlled studies, patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia have reported feeling less discomfort within minutes of their first LLLT treatment.

Laser therapy treatment align with Dr. McCracken’s mission to provide his patients with dental care that is effective, while remaining minimally invasive. Laser therapy can be used to successfully treat a number of dental issues with a reduced amount of discomfort. Low-level laser therapy benefits also include:

• Shorter recovery periods
• Commonly prevents the need for surgery
• Safer than traditional treatment options
• Noticeable relief commonly noted upon the first treatment
• Minimal anxiety about possible future sessions

Patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia may feel anxiety about their condition due to their inability to judge when their pain will return, or for how long. Laser Smile Studio wants you to know that you do not have to suffer with this debilitating pain and anxiety any longer. Call Laser Smile Studio today to set up a consultation with Dr. McCracken. We look forward to discussing the benefits of LLLT with you, and are hopeful that we can reduce your pain and help restore your full quality of life.