Differential diagnosis of toothache pain. Part 2, nonodontogenic etiologies

A variety of pain disorders involve the head, neck, jaws, and face. Many contradicting symptoms may exist when a patient presents with multiple problems. In order to diagnose and treat dental disease, a thorough understanding of both odontogenic and nonodontogenic etiologies of toothache pain is paramount. Harvey McGehee, a noteworthy medical diagnostician, wrote: "In making the diagnosis of the cause of illness in an individual case, calculations of probability have no meaning. The pertinent question is whether the disease is present or not. Whether it is rare or common does not change the odds in a single patient. If the diagnosis can be made on the basis of specific criteria, then these criteria are either fulfilled or not fulfilled." Good diagnosticians in all fields of medicine are on the endangered species list. To become a successful diagnostician, one needs to have interest, intuition, curiosity, patience, and a quest for knowledge. Each day presents a new opportunity and you can either be the goat, or the GOAT (greatest of all time). The choice is yours.