Jennifer Stafford
DDS, MS, MICCMO, FAGD
201 Waterfront Dental, WI, USA
USA
Session 25 · DAY 2 (Nov. 6, 2026) · 17:00–17:30 CET
Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Block: Intranasal Neuromodulation for Trigeminal Pain Control
Abstract
The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is a critical autonomic structure that serves as an important interface between the parasympathetic nervous system and the trigeminal nerve. Although SPG blocks have been used in medicine for more than a century to manage headaches and facial pain, they remain underutilized in dentistry despite their potential to influence trigeminal-mediated pain, muscle function, and autonomic symptoms.
This presentation reviews the anatomy and neurophysiology of the SPG and explains how intranasal delivery of topical local anesthetic provides a safe, minimally invasive method of neuromodulation. Participants will gain an understanding of the relationship between the SPG and the trigeminal system, the proposed mechanisms of action, and the expanding role of SPG blocks in the management of migraine, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), myofascial pain, trigeminal neuralgia, atypical facial pain, and other craniofacial pain conditions.
Practical instruction will include patient selection, indications and contraindications, delivery techniques using both catheter-based and cotton-tipped applicator methods, expected patient responses, safety considerations, and common procedural pitfalls. Attendees will also explore how SPG blockade may improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce trigeminal sensitization, and enhance treatment outcomes when incorporated into comprehensive neuromuscular dental care.
By combining current scientific evidence with clinical experience, this lecture provides clinicians with a practical framework for incorporating SPG blocks into everyday practice as a valuable adjunctive tool for managing trigeminal pain, autonomic dysfunction, and complex craniofacial disorders.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the anatomy, neural connections, and physiologic role of the sphenopalatine ganglion in trigeminal pain modulation and autonomic function.
- Identify appropriate clinical indications, contraindications, and patient selection criteria for intranasal SPG block therapy in dental practice.
- Demonstrate the principles of safe intranasal SPG block delivery, including proper technique, patient management, and integration into comprehensive treatment of TMD and other craniofacial pain disorders.
Biography
Dr. Jennifer Stafford received her DDS from the University of Minnesota (2008) and an MS in Neuromuscular Orthodontics from Universitat Jaume I, Spain (2025). A Master of the International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics, she serves as President-Elect of its North American Section and sits on its Board of Regents. She co-founded Neuromuscular Orthodontic Studies and the Ira Shapira Neuromuscular Study Club.
From her three Wisconsin practices, she treats temporomandibular disorders, orofacial pain, tethered oral tissues, and airway dysfunction. A Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, she has published on tongue function, cervical-mandibular posture, and neuromuscular occlusion.