TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA MIMICKING ODONTOGENIC PAIN - A REPORT OF 2 CASES

Trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux is characterized by paroxysmal episodes of facial pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve, a lthough patients may have a variety of symptoms that mimic odontogenic pain. This article presents two cases of trigeminal neuralgia that we re misdiagnosed and initially treated endodontically as pain of odonto genic origin. A therapeutic regimen of carbamazepine alleviated the pa in in both patients. These two cases demonstrate the importance of hav ing a thorough knowledge of both odontogenic and nonodontogenic causes of orofacial pain, as well as the need for careful diagnosis before u ndertaking any treatment.