Many causes of facial pain are similar to causes of headaches. Patient consultations are therefore included in our special headache clinic for this reason. The face contains several organs, and when problems occur these can cause facial pain that cannot always be precisely located, so it is often necessary to see several specialists. Here are some examples: an ophthalmologist for raised eye pressure, a dentist for dental problems, an orthodontist for TMJ problems, or an ear, nose and throat specialist for maxillary or frontal sinusitis.
Two types of facial pain are relevant for a consultation with a neurologist: trigeminal neuralgia and persistent idiopathic facial pain (synonym: atypical facial pain).
Persistent idiopathic facial pain
This pain is usually felt on one side and in a well-defined area of the face. In contrast to trigeminal neuralgia, the nature of this pain is pressing, dull, and persistent. No organic causes (hence the term “idiopathic”) for the pain can be demonstrated, even on MRI examination. It is often treated with medications that are also used for depression.
