Pregabalin and Orofacial Neuropathic Pain

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients 18 years of age or older, males and females * history of dental and/or maxillofacial treatment/surgery that may cause nerve injury (e.g. root canal treatment, implant placement, deep restorations, tooth extractions, injection of anesthetics) * patients who score 12 on the validated self-report version of the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs pain scale (S-LANSS; Bennett et al. 2005) for extra-oral sites, or 9 for intra-oral sites (the scoring for extra-oral sites is taken as suggested; for intra-oral sites, the 5-point scoring for question 2 has been removed and the score proportionally adjusted, since it is difficult for patients to see color changes in their mouth) * pain rated 4 or more on a numerical scale (0 being no pain, 10 being the most intense pain imaginable), on a daily basis * pain lasting more than 6 months * absence of identifiable organic lesion, inflammation or infection * normal serum creatinine * reports that current and previous pain medications failed to provide adequate relief (e.g., analgesic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, opioids, antidepressants) * if currently using medication, acceptance of a wash-out period of at least one week, during which only Tylenol can be used as rescue medication * able to use the Palm handheld device to report daily pain Exclusion Criteria: * lactating, pregnancy (potentially child bearing patients need to have a referral from family physician stating that the patient is not expecting or to be using contraception) * renal impairment or renal failure (contra-indication to pregabalin) * congestive heart failure or liver disease * currently suffering from trigeminal neuralgia * history of mental disorder, widespread pain or other severe pain conditions that may confound the pain assessment (e.g. depression, chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, severe chronic pain conditions) * intolerance or allergy to gabapentin and pregabalin