Facial Pain Clinic

Specialist assessment and management of jaw, mouth and facial pain, led by Dr Ciro, Consultant Oral Surgeon with a special interest in Oral Medicine and Facial Pain.

Ongoing facial pain can affect everything from eating and speaking to sleep, work and mood. Many people with facial pain have seen several clinicians, had dental treatment that did not help, or been told there is “nothing wrong”. Our clinic takes your pain seriously. We work out what is causing it and give you a clear, realistic plan to manage it.

Why see a facial pain specialist?

The face, jaws, teeth, sinuses, ears and nerves all sit close together, so pain in one area is easily mistaken for a problem in another. Toothache can come from a jaw muscle, earache can come from the jaw joint, and nerve pain can feel exactly like a dental problem. Getting the diagnosis right is the most important step, and it can prevent unnecessary fillings, root canal treatments or extractions.

• Consultant-led care: you are seen by Dr Ciro personally at every stage.
• Time to listen: a thorough consultation that looks at your full history, not just the painful area.
• Prompt appointments: no long waiting lists for your initial consultation.
• Joined-up care: with your permission, we keep your dentist and GP informed and refer on to other specialists if needed.

Conditions we diagnose and manage

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)

TMD is the most common cause of long-term facial pain. It affects the jaw joints and the chewing muscles and can cause jaw ache, clicking or grating, locking, limited opening, headaches and earache. It is often linked to clenching or grinding, stress or posture. Most people improve with conservative treatment such as self-care advice, jaw exercises, splints, physiotherapy and medication.

Teeth Clenching and Grinding (Bruxism)

Clenching or grinding, often during sleep, can cause morning jaw stiffness, tired muscles, headaches and worn or sensitive teeth. We assess the effect on your jaw and teeth and advise on ways to reduce it and protect your teeth.

Burning Mouth Syndrome

A burning, scalding or tingling sensation in the tongue, lips or mouth, often with no visible cause. It is sometimes accompanied by dryness or a change in taste. We first rule out other causes such as nutritional deficiencies, infection, dry mouth or medication side effects, then help you manage the symptoms.

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Sudden, severe, electric shock-like pain on one side of the face, often set off by light touch, eating, talking or brushing your teeth. It is frequently mistaken for toothache. We make the diagnosis, start appropriate treatment and, where needed, arrange a scan or referral to a neurologist or neurosurgeon.

Persistent Dental Pain Without a Dental Cause

Sometimes called atypical odontalgia or persistent dentoalveolar pain, this is a continuous ache in a tooth, or where a tooth used to be, even though the tooth and surrounding area look healthy. Further dental treatment often does not help. We confirm the diagnosis and focus on treatments that target the pain itself.

Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain

A deep, dull, persistent ache in the face that does not follow a typical pattern and has no obvious cause on examination or scans. It is a recognised condition, and although it can be frustrating, it can be managed. We rule out other causes and put together a plan to reduce the impact on your daily life.

Nerve Injury and Numbness After Dental Treatment

Occasionally, procedures such as wisdom tooth removal, implants, root canal treatment or injections can affect the nerves supplying the lip, chin, tongue or teeth. This can cause numbness, tingling or pain. We assess the nerve, monitor recovery and advise on the treatment options available.

Pain Linked to Headaches

Some headache conditions, including tension-type headache and migraine, can cause pain in the face, jaw or teeth, and TMD can make headaches worse. We help untangle how these overlap and work with your GP on a combined approach.

What happens at your appointment?

1. Detailed history: Dr Ciro will ask about when your pain started, what it feels like, what makes it better or worse, and any treatment you have already had.
2. Examination: a thorough check of your jaw joints, chewing muscles, mouth, teeth, face and neck, including the nerves of the face.
3. Investigations: if needed, this may include X-rays, scans or blood tests to rule out other causes.
4. Diagnosis: a clear explanation of what is causing your pain and what that means for you.
5. Treatment plan: a personalised plan, which may include self-management advice, jaw exercises, splints, medication, physiotherapy or referral to other specialists.

Long-standing facial pain is often best managed with a combination of approaches rather than a single quick fix. We will be honest with you about what to expect and review your progress at follow-up appointments.

When should you seek advice?

We recommend booking a consultation if you have:

• jaw, face or mouth pain that has lasted more than a few weeks
• jaw clicking, locking or difficulty opening your mouth
• toothache that has continued after dental treatment, or where your dentist cannot find a cause
• sharp, shooting or electric shock-like facial pain
• a burning sensation in your mouth or tongue
• numbness, tingling or pain after dental treatment

Please seek urgent medical help (call 999 or go to A&E) if your facial pain comes with sudden facial drooping or weakness, slurred speech, a sudden severe headache, loss of vision, or a high temperature with facial swelling.

Frequently asked questions

Book your consultation

You do not have to put up with facial pain or keep guessing at the cause. Book a consultation with Dr Ciro for a specialist diagnosis and a clear plan to help you manage your pain.

Call us on 02076380870 or book online below.