What are the chances removing wisdom tooth will improve trigeminal neuralgia symptoms?

Not likely: If it is a true trigeminal neuralgia, it will not respond to tooth extraction. However, if pain is due to diseased tooth, it will cure it. A cat scan of the area can sometimes show if the tooth is pressing on the nerve and if it does, or if the tooth is decaying, then an extraction will help. Otherwise, treatment of trigeminal neuralgia involves drugs, such as tegretol, baclofen, as well as botox.

Probably not: Trigeminal neuralgia pain starts from a nerve center called the trigeminal ganglion. The nerves that serve sensation to your eye, forehead upper and lower jaws' gums and lips emanate from it. T.N. Pain can be caused from any kind of stimulus such as brushing your teeth or chewing. If there is a reason dentally to have the tooth extracted, then do it. It may or may not help with your symptoms.

Dr Chiani agreed

Rather low chance: True trigeminal neuralgia is caused by inflammation (multiple sclerosis), occas infection (herpes), nerve irritation or compression at base of brain (by tortuous blood vessel, edge of bone), but may be triggered by touching over face and mouth, chewing, talking, swallowing, and your inflamed wisdom tooth may be a trigger, but will not be a cure if extracted.

Dr Baez agreed

Unlikely any effect: If the only reason you would have the wisdom tooth removed was to try to alleviate the tgn, i think it would be futile. If the wisdom needs to come out regardless, it would be a wise move. In any case, i would have your oral surgeon and the doctor treating you for tgn consult with each other and inform you of any information they feel you should be aware of prior to the surgery.

Dr Sampson agreed

None: Who made the diagnosis of tgn? Tgn is of vascular etiology, and close to the base of the brain where the trigeminal nerve exits. Pressure on the nerve in this location causes tgn. My guess is your symptoms may be coming from a wisdom tooth causing the neuralgia, in which case extraction could benefit. Discuss w your oral surgeon!

Dr Latif agreed