TMJ Disorders and Orofacial.pdf - E-Lib FK UWKS

10 Primary Dental Evaluation
Overview of Dental Examination Techniques
Before beginning the specific functional diagnostic procedure
for a patient with pain in the jaws and face or with limited
mandibular mobility, all possible intraoral causes for
the reported symptoms should be investigated. The goal of
conventional dental evaluation is to rule out periodontal
and dental structures, as well as intraoral hard and soft
tissues, as the source of the pain. The process is similar in
principle to manual functional analysis, in that it should be
possible to repeatedly initiate or intensify the symptom
through probing and/or judicious loading of the tissues.
Patient history, extraoral and intraoral inspection (e.g. for
17 Overview of dental
examination techniques
For patients with acute or chronic
jaw and facial pain, a primary dental
diagnosis is always performed before
the joint-specific examination
techniques are carried out.
Patient history
General medical history Symptoms
Chief symptom Primary concern
and expectations
Search for structural
lesions
Tooth structure
Periodontium
Soft tissues
Bone structure
trauma, redness, swelling) and radiographic interpretation
(e.g. inflammatory processes) complete the primary dental
examination. If there is no significant pathology present
that could explain the patient's problem, or if the patient's
pain cannot be elicited during the primary dental examination,
initial dental treatment procedures are not indicated.
Blind action is to be avoided.
Examination for caries
Percussion
Sensitivity test
Periodontal status
Extension of soft tissue
Tooth position
Degree of abrasion
Need for restorations
Panoramic radiograph
Mucosal changes