The trigeminal nerve is a bundle of nerves providing sensory and motor functions to the face through three separate branches. The first branch supplies the area around the eyes, the second covers the upper jaw, lower eyelid, and sides of the nose, and the third is responsible for sensation in the lower jaw and cheek. Additionally, the first branch controls the corneal reflex (involuntary eye blinking), and the second branch is involved in the movement of chewing muscles.

Trigeminal neuralgia is an intense facial pain condition resulting from the abnormal functioning of one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. The pain is typically felt on one side of the face, in the region covered by the affected nerve branch. Triggering factors, such as talking, eating, or even light stimuli like a gentle touch, can induce the pain during daily activities.

Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia manifest as sudden and severe facial pain, described as burning, sharp stabbing, or electric shock-like sensations. The pain can last from a few seconds to several minutes and may recur intermittently.

Due to misdiagnosis, unnecessary tooth extractions are often encountered in these patients.

The initial treatment option in the therapeutic algorithm aims to control pain using anticonvulsant medications. If this proves insufficient or if the medication dosage becomes too high, a procedure involving the burning of the affected nerve branch through radiofrequency therapy is applied.