To evaluate the pattern and effectiveness of dentist interventions received by patients later diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia (TN), highlighting the significance of accurate diagnosis.
Key Findings:
Out of 104 patients with TN, 88 (84.62%) were treated by dentists before diagnosis, indicating a high rate of misdiagnosis.
Average patient age was 52.5 years, with a higher prevalence in females (59.1%), suggesting demographic trends in TN.
67% of cases affected the right side of the face, which may inform clinical focus.
Interpretation:
Misdiagnosis of TN in dental settings is common, leading to unnecessary dental interventions, which underscores the urgent need for improved diagnostic practices to enhance patient outcomes.
Limitations:
The study is retrospective and may be subject to biases in data collection; future studies should consider prospective designs.
Limited to a single hospital in Iraq, which may affect generalizability; multi-center studies could provide broader insights.
Conclusion:
Improving awareness and diagnostic accuracy of TN in dental practices is crucial to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments, emphasizing the need for ongoing education and training.
