Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by severe, sporadic facial pain. It is caused by damage or compression of the trigeminal nerve. The pain is described as electric shock-like and is often triggered by trivial stimuli like tooth brushing or talking. Diagnosis is based on clinical history and examination. Treatment involves drug therapy with anticonvulsants like carbamazepine or surgery like radiofrequency lesioning or microvascular decompression to relieve nerve compression. Surgery provides long-term pain relief in the majority of patients but carries more risks than drug therapy.