Hi Rae,
Welcome to the forum! I hope you make yourself at home here. I have ATN, I would describe it as a lancinating, burning, constant pain that stays for hours. There are no bursts of pain, just a droning on of unremitant pain.
Bulliemom,
Welcome to you as well. I wanted to ask, is that your name because you have bullie-breed dogs? I have an American Bulldog who is as stubborn, talkative and cantankerous as they come. I am happy to hear that you are considering a stimulator.
And dear Bluemom,
There is a page on the TNA website with info regarding getting dental work – Here is the site address:
http://www.fpa-support.org/
and here is an excerpt:
TNA Tips for Keeping Dental work as painless as possible:

° Go to the dentist when you’re not hurting. Make sure your dentist knows you have TN so he or she will be flexible to schedule your appointments (maybe even on short notice) during periods when your pain goes into remission. This will also help the dental staff to understand in case you have to cancel in the event that your pain flares up right before an appointment.

° Be well medicated. If you don’t have remissions or must have dental work done during an active pain cycle, consult your doctor so you’re on an optimal dose of medicine. To prevent a breakthrough, your dentist may want to increase the dose of any TN medications you are taking for a day or so before and after the procedure. Also try to schedule your appointment during the time of day when you’re least likely to get pain or when your medication is at peak effectiveness (usually about one hour after taking a dose). Several hours before the procedure, take a pain-killing medication such as codeine. Take it again after the procedure. The goal is to have at least five hours after the procedure during which you’re pain free.

° Topical anesthetics. Most dental patients need numbing compounds mainly for tooth repairs, crown work, extractions and the like. However, even teeth-cleaning and exams may bring on pain for facial pain patients. Topical sprays or gels can be used to temporarily numb the gums.

° Touch the sensitive area last. If there’s a trigger zone that usually sets off the pain, ask the dentist or hygienist to examine and clean everything else first.

° Switch local anesthetics. If you need treatment, discuss with your dentist the type of anesthetic to be used. Ask your dentist to use Mepivacaine 3% or Carbocaine 3%, neither of which contains preservatives or a vasoconstrictor. You may want to ask in advance, because the average dentist doesn’t keep this particular drug in stock.

° Epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor; it’s sometimes added to local anesthetics to prolong their numbing effect. Epinephrine can trigger nerve pain, especially in cases of trauma-induced TN. In these cases, ask your dentist not to inject a vasoconstrictor with local anesthetics in the area of nerve damage.

° Consider the injection point. Ask the dentist if possible to inject the local anesthetic at a site as far as possible from known, active TN trigger points.

° A knockout. If all else fails and you absolutely need dental work, discuss the possibility of a general anesthetic (either IV or inhaled) to put you to sleep while the work is being done. This type of anesthesia can reduce emotional trauma.

So, Welcome everybody, it’s nice to have you, sorry that you have to be here )
Lily