Medically reviewed by Dr Diana Chan Xin Hui, Anaesthesiologist & Pain Specialist (MBBS, MMED (Anaesthesia), MCI, FAMS, GDA, EDRA, FIPP). Last Updated: July 14, 2026
Conditions
Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment in Singapore
Our Doctor
Dr Diana Chan: Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain Doctor in Singapore
Dr Diana Chan is a Pain Medicine Specialist with over 20 years of experience and more than 2,000 pain procedures performed, including the diagnosis and management of complex neuropathic pain conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia. She is the former Head of the Department of Pain Medicine at Singapore General Hospital and founder of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Pain Centre. Her approach combines precise diagnosis with a full range of treatment options, from medication to advanced interventional procedures, matched to how the condition is presenting in each patient.
- Over 20 years in pain medicine
- Performed over 2000+ basic and advanced pain procedures
- Expertise in minimally invasive, comprehensive and holistic pain management and interventions in Singapore
What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from the face to the brain. It’s considered one of the most painful conditions in medicine, and it behaves very differently from ordinary facial or dental pain.
What It Feels Like
- Sudden, severe, electric-shock-like or stabbing pain, usually on one side of the face
- Pain that lasts from a few seconds to about two minutes per episode, but can recur many times a day
- Pain typically felt in the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, or around the eye, following the path of the trigeminal nerve’s branches
- Between attacks, many people feel completely normal, which is part of what makes the condition confusing to diagnose
- In some cases, a duller, constant background ache develops alongside the sharp attacks (sometimes called atypical trigeminal neuralgia)
What Triggers an Attack
Attacks are often set off by light, everyday touch or movement rather than anything forceful, which is a distinctive feature of trigeminal neuralgia. Common triggers include:
- Brushing teeth or shaving
- Light touch to the face, or wind blowing on the face
- Chewing, talking, or smiling
- Applying makeup
- Temperature changes, such as a cold drink
Is It Trigeminal Neuralgia or Something Else?
Because the pain is felt in the face and jaw, trigeminal neuralgia is frequently mistaken for a dental problem, TMJ (jaw joint) dysfunction, or general facial pain, and many patients undergo dental work or TMJ treatment before the correct diagnosis is made.
Condition | Typical Pain | Common Features |
Trigeminal Neuralgia | Sudden, sharp, electric shock-like pain lasting seconds to minutes. | Usually affects one side of the face, follows the trigeminal nerve, and can be triggered by light touch, talking, eating, brushing teeth, or washing the face. Dental examinations are usually normal. |
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) | Dull, aching pain around the jaw joint. | Often worsens with chewing or jaw movement and may be accompanied by jaw clicking, locking, or stiffness. |
Dental Pain (Toothache) | Constant, throbbing, or sharp pain affecting a specific tooth. | Often triggered by hot or cold foods and associated with tooth decay, swelling, or tenderness. Dental examination or X-rays usually identify the cause. |
What Causes Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Vascular compression is the most common cause, where a blood vessel presses against the trigeminal nerve near the brainstem, wearing away its protective coating over time
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) or other conditions affecting the nerve’s myelin sheath: Trigeminal Neuralgia can occur as a result of demyelination
- A tumour or structural lesion pressing on the nerve, in a smaller number of cases
- Idiopathic in some patients, no clear structural cause is found despite thorough investigation
Identifying which of these applies is central to planning the right treatment, which is why imaging is a standard part of the diagnostic process.
How Dr Diana Chan Diagnoses Trigeminal Neuralgia
A precise diagnosis at this stage avoids the common pattern of prolonged, ineffective dental or TMJ treatment before the real cause is addressed.
A detailed pain history
The location, duration, and triggers of the pain are highly distinctive in TN, and a careful history is often the strongest diagnostic tool.
Neurological and facial examination
Checking sensation, reflexes, and ruling out other causes of facial pain, including dental and TMJ-related causes.
MRI of the brain
Used to check for vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve, signs of multiple sclerosis, or any structural lesion. This helps determine both the cause and the most suitable treatment path.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment Options
Dr Chan’s approach to trigeminal neuralgia draws on her background in interventional pain medicine, offering a full spectrum of treatment, from first-line medication through to advanced procedures for cases that don’t respond to medication alone.
Medication Management
Anticonvulsant medications, most commonly carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine, are the standard first-line treatment for trigeminal neuralgia and are effective for many patients in reducing the frequency and severity of attacks.
Nerve Blocks
Targeted local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory injections around the affected branch of the trigeminal nerve can be used both to confirm the specific nerve involved and to provide temporary relief, particularly useful during severe flares or while medication is being optimised.
For patients who don’t achieve adequate control with medication, radiofrequency ablation uses controlled heat to reduce pain signalling from the affected part of the trigeminal nerve, offering longer-lasting relief in appropriately selected patients.
Neuromodulation
In more complex or refractory cases, neuromodulation techniques can help modulate nerve signalling and reduce pain, offering an option for patients who haven’t found lasting relief through medication or other interventional treatments.
Why See a Pain Specialist for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is frequently misdiagnosed early on, because the pain is felt in the face and jaw. A pain specialist becomes particularly important when:
- You’ve had dental work or TMJ treatment without relief — a sign the pain may not be originating from the teeth or jaw at all
- The pain is sudden, sharp, and shock-like, rather than a constant dull ache
- Light touch triggers severe pain — brushing teeth, shaving, wind on the face
- Medication isn’t adequately controlling the attacks, or side effects are difficult to manage
- You want a clear diagnosis confirming the cause, rather than continuing trial-and-error treatment for jaw or dental pain
A pain specialist with experience in neuropathic and facial pain conditions can offer a full range of treatment beyond what’s available through dental or general medical care alone.
Dr Diana Chan’s Treatment Philosophy
Dr Chan’s approach is shaped as much by personal experience as clinical training, including her own long-term shoulder injury and caring for her father through cancer-related pain. That experience underpins a philosophy centred on three things: an accurate diagnosis before any treatment is proposed, using the least invasive effective option first, and treating pain in the context of a patient’s overall quality of life, not just a symptom to be suppressed.
Why Patients Choose Dr Diana Chan for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Specialist in Trigeminal Neuralgia & Facial Pain
More Than 20 Years of Pain Medicine Experience
Precision-Guided Nerve Blocks & Injections
Focus on Non-Surgical Relief
Singapore's Only Female Private Pain Specialist
Frequently Asked Questions
Can trigeminal neuralgia go away on its own?
Some patients experience periods of spontaneous remission where attacks stop for weeks, months, or longer, but the condition typically requires treatment to manage and reduce the frequency of attacks over time. Remission periods don’t necessarily mean the underlying cause has resolved.
Are there side effects from trigeminal neuralgia medications I should know about?
Carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, the most common first-line medications, can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or in some cases changes in blood counts or sodium levels, which is why regular monitoring is part of treatment. Any dietary or lifestyle question related to your specific medication is best raised directly during your consultation, since interactions can vary by individual.
Is trigeminal neuralgia curable?
There’s no guaranteed permanent cure, but the large majority of patients achieve significant, lasting pain control through medication, interventional treatment, or in appropriate cases, microvascular decompression. Many patients experience long periods of remission with the right treatment plan.