A clinical approach to the diagnosis of facial pain

Following completion of the patient history, physical evaluation, and cranial nerve assessment, the next step should be a thorough dental evaluation with appropriate radiographs to evaluate caries, periodontal disease, and any other hard- or soft-tissue pathology. If indicated, a thorough evaluation of the craniomandibular complex also should be performed. At this point, the clinician should have a general idea as to the cause of the patient's facial pain and the appropriate course of treatment can then be instituted. If the problem is not solely dental in etiology, the diagnosis and management must be coordinated between the dentist and the appropriate medical specialties.