disclose psychological factors and aspects
of a patient’s beliefs of the cause of pain,
which may in turn influence the extent and
nature of the pain.
Chronic orofacial pain results in
decreased quality of life and psychological
effects rarely seen in dental pain.
Clinical examination
Clinical examination should
include a thorough extra-oral and intraoral
examination to corroborate history
findings and assist in reaching a diagnosis.
Extra-oral examination should include
temporomandibular joints (TMJs), regional
lymph nodes, muscles of mastication and
cervical muscles, salivary glands and face
and eyes for any autonomic signs, such
as flushing, tearing, ptosis or sweating.
Cranial nerves examination may be
required in some cases and, in primary
care at least, a gross examination of the
facial and trigeminal nerves would be
expected to assess any motor or sensory
abnormalities. Sensation to light touch
and pin prick can easily be elicited by the
use of cottonwool and an appropriate
sterile pin, respectively, and assessment of
the facial nerve should include a patient’s
ability to raise the eyebrows, close the eyes
tightly shut and show his/her teeth whilst
observing any facial asymmetry.
Limitation of mouth opening
and/or deviation of the mandible on
opening, TMJ tenderness, TMJ crepitus
and/or click and masticatory muscle
pain or tenderness may indicate
temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
and can be determined by palpation
over the TMJs and masticatory muscles.
Most patients can open comfortably to
35–45mm, equating to approximately
three finger breadths, although some
may open to a greater distance. Crepitus
and clicking can usually be elicited by
palpation over the TMJs and loud clicking
will be audible. Facial swelling/asymmetry
should be assessed.
The intra-oral examination
should include a comprehensive oral
examination, including:
Assessing the teeth;
Occlusion;
Salivary glands;
Oral mucosae; and
Oropharyngeal region.