Anesthesia dolorosa, also known as phantom pain, is a type of neuropathic pain that can occur after injury to the lingual nerve or the inferior alveolar nerve during a dental procedure. These nerve injuries may occur during implant procedures, root canals, extractions, injections, or some other dental or surgical procedure.
Overall, it can be very challenging to treat anesthesia dolorosa because it a type of neuropathic pain that closely resembles phantom limb pain. Thus, anesthesia dolorosa may require a combination of medications and other therapeutic approaches. Some commonly used medications for treating anesthesia dolorosa include:
- Antidepressants: Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline have been found to be effective in treating neuropathic pain, including anesthesia dolorosa.
- Anticonvulsants: Drugs such as gabapentin and pregabalin are commonly used to treat neuropathic pain, and these drugs have been found to be effective in treating anesthesia dolorosa after a person suffers a dental nerve injury.
- Opioids: Strong pain relievers such as morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone may be used to treat severe pain, including the nerve pain commonly associated with anesthesia dolorosa. Unfortunately, these drugs can be extremely addictive and have significant side effects.
- N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Antagonists: Drugs such as ketamine have been used to treat neuropathic pain, including pain associated with anesthesia dolorosa.
- Topical Ointments: Topical ointments, like Zostrix or Capsaicin-P, may prove helpful to some people.
- Topical Anesthetics: Other topical drugs that may be helpful in treating anesthesia dolorosa are drugs like EMLA, lidocaine, or some other topical numbing agent.
In the context of nerve injuries after dental procedures, folks may benefit from vastly different treatments. Each case is unique, and the best treatment for anesthesia dolorosa may vary depending on the individual and the severity of their pain.
