From the FDA Drug Label
Trigeminal Neuralgia Carbamazepine tablets are indicated in the treatment of the pain associated with true trigeminal neuralgia. The part of the nerve irritated in trigeminal neuralgia is the trigeminal nerve.
- The trigeminal nerve has three main branches:
- Ophthalmic
- Maxillary
- Mandibular However, the FDA drug label does not specify which part of the trigeminal nerve is irritated in trigeminal neuralgia. The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
In pedental neuralgia, the irritation occurs in the inferior alveolar nerve, specifically in its terminal branch known as the mental nerve as it exits the mental foramen of the mandible. This condition involves inflammation or compression of the nerve at the point where it emerges from the bone to supply sensation to the lower lip, chin, and anterior teeth. The irritation typically happens where the nerve passes through the narrow bony canal or at its exit point. Various factors can cause this irritation, including dental procedures, trauma, bone remodeling, or pressure from adjacent anatomical structures, as discussed in the management of inferior alveolar nerve injuries 1. The resulting pain is often sharp, shooting, and can be triggered by touching the area, chewing, or temperature changes. Understanding this specific anatomical location helps clinicians properly diagnose the condition and differentiate it from other facial pain disorders that may present with similar symptoms but involve different nerve pathways, such as trigeminal neuralgia, which has been studied extensively in recent years 2, 3, 4, 5. Key points to consider in the diagnosis and management of pedental neuralgia include:
- The role of the inferior alveolar nerve and its terminal branches in the condition
- The potential causes of nerve irritation, including dental procedures and trauma
- The importance of accurate diagnosis to differentiate pedental neuralgia from other facial pain disorders
- The various treatment options available, including pharmacologic management and surgical interventions, as discussed in the context of trigeminal neuralgia 2, 5.