I am no expert, but I too started to suffer from Tn both after surgery and after dental work. I truly believe that classic tn is due to compression of the trigeminal nerve, that is why the MVD surgery is a success to those who have Classic TN. Now if it is ATN, which I also suffer from, the causes are harder to find, only theories are used. I had 6 endoscopic sinus surgeries. After the first 2, I developed osteomyletis in my sinus, therefore the other 4 surgeries to cure and debried the tisues. Now, After my first 2 surgeries, I noticed numbness and head pain. I attributed it to the sinuses. It became something I suffered with silently. Then after the last sinus surgery, I had a few good months. Around 3 months later, I started with the head pain.Went to dentist, thought was teeth not really, Had Ct of sinus ,it was clear. Said to check with dentist cause teeth had pain also. Went back to dentist he did root canal of tender tooth causse I insisted. Then sent to endontist cause couldn't find extra root. Decided to pull cause root canal failed. Back to ENT, he started on neurontin sent to Neurologist. Been battiling for almost two years. I do not believe dental work caused TN or ATN. I believe it was already there and it just brought it to the surface because symptoms were more clear. Shooting and dull pain in face and head. I've met with the NS who reccomends MVD becuse I do suffer from classic TN. He also believes my ENT is concerned he may have clipped the nerve in the surgeries. I believe it was the first ENT that caused all of my problems being the infection in the bone, the TN and ATN. Therefore , I am a hard case to solve. I am researching all I can about this disease, because jumping into brain surgery, whether MVD, neurotransmiters, etc all have many risks to them. I am dragging my feet, trying to let the meds work. I have had 6 surgeries to my head, and I have developed side effects that were not there before. The next kinds of surgeries to my head carry bigger risks, that I don't think I am willing to take as of yet. Back, neck, and brain surgeries are very risky, because of the spinal column and fluid. Hell I have numbness from abdominal surgery 25 years ago. I also had adhesions and bowel attachment then. What I am saying is anything is possible that is why you sign all those papers before a surgery. No one can tell you what side effects you will suffer, because the variables are not constant. Hell the doc could have had too much coffee, a fight with his wife or other, a bad drive in to work etc. Then look at the anestisiologists, scrub nurse, recovery room nurse, etc. I had a morphine allergy on my history,I told them this cause I hate the drug cause I vomit immediatley and refuse to take it anymore. When I woke up from my last surgery, I was gagging. I said what did you give me? the nurse said morphine. I said look at my file. He said oh the doc prescribed it. I said hello. Change it please. Everyone can make mistakes. and anything can happen. Could you have gotten TN during the last surgery, absolutley. Some one could have dropped you on your head you would'nt know. Can you prove it. Doubtful. Get to a neurologist, try the meds, see what works. If it's classic TN it will respond to certain meds, if it isn't it might respond to others. Educate yourself. Find a doc that you are comfortable with and who takes the time to explain and answer your questions. I like doctors who are honest about how others could have made mistakes. Not those who protect. I could care less if they worry about what they say. I am paying them to help me find solutions for my illness. You need to be proactive and your own advocate. No one but you know what you are feeling and how much pain you are in. I guess I am ranting because I am so angry I have this disease, and it is progressing. Read all the sticy's, go to the TNA website. Come back hear and ask as many questions as you like. Those before us have the real answers you are looking for and will respond as soon as they can. Welcome, you have joined our elite club. Sorry for the reason, but I am sure you will get faster answers here than anywhere else. Feel free to send as many messages as you like. Thanks for your ear, as I thank all my new friends here. The understanding you will find here has been a blessing to me. Jen