Treatment · Nerve Pain
Nerve Blocks for Facial Nerve Pain
A nerve block places local anesthetic near a specific branch of a facial nerve to find out whether that branch is carrying the pain — and, in some cases, to relieve it.
Facial nerve pain can feel like tooth, sinus, or jaw joint pain. A nerve block is one of the clearest ways to tell these apart, so treatment can target the right source.
Diagnostic Blocks: Finding the Source
When a specific nerve branch is numbed and the pain stops, that branch is likely involved. When the pain does not change, the source is probably elsewhere — for example in a muscle, the jaw joint, or the brain's pain processing.
This information is especially valuable before any irreversible dental treatment, such as a root canal or extraction, when a tooth looks healthy but still hurts.
Therapeutic Blocks: Relief
Some nerve blocks also calm pain for a period of time. They can help during a flare of nerve pain and are sometimes repeated as part of a longer plan, alongside medication and other care.
Conditions Where Nerve Blocks Help
Nerve blocks are most often part of the evaluation or treatment of:
- Trigeminal neuralgia — sudden, electric-shock facial pain
- Neuropathic facial pain, including pain after injury or dental procedures
- Persistent tooth pain with no dental cause (atypical odontalgia)
- Pain in front of the ear or at the temple that follows a nerve pathway
Which Nerves Are Involved
Most facial nerve blocks target branches of the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from the face, teeth, and jaw. Examples include the branch that supplies the cheek and upper teeth, the branch to the lower lip and chin, and the branch in front of the ear that supplies the temple.
What to Expect
The procedure is brief and done in the office. The area feels numb for a few hours, much like dental anesthesia. You note how your usual pain changes during that time, and those results guide the long-term plan.
Your specialist explains the purpose, benefits, and possible side effects before any block is performed.
Facial pain that feels dental but has no dental cause? A nerve-focused evaluation finds the source. No referral needed · Help filing with medical insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Nerve Blocks: Common Questions
Is a nerve block the same as dental numbing?
It uses a similar local anesthetic, but it is placed at a specific nerve branch chosen from your exam, and the goal is to learn where the pain comes from — not only to numb an area for a procedure.
How long does a nerve block last?
The numbness usually wears off within a few hours. When a block is used for relief, the pain-calming effect can last longer; how long varies from person to person.
Does a nerve block replace medication for trigeminal neuralgia?
Usually not. Medication remains the main treatment for trigeminal neuralgia. Nerve blocks help confirm the diagnosis and can give relief during flares, working alongside medication.
Does insurance cover nerve blocks?
Coverage depends on your plan and diagnosis. The practice is out-of-network; our team prepares the superbill and helps you submit the claim to your medical insurance for possible reimbursement.
Related
No referral needed · Help filing with medical insurance · $650