Pain: a poor parameter of evaluation in dentistry

In summary, we must be aware of the limitations of our instruments for determining success. A diagnosis is achieved by developing a composite picture through a keen gathering of all factors leading to the disease. Pain must surely be considered in patient management and patient-dentist rapport, but to allow our judgment to be swayed by pain alone is no more rational than to hinge our diagnosis upon a single other test. It is of paramount importance that we realize that, pulpally, periodontally, and periapically, there is no correlation between amount of destruction and reported presence or absence of pain. Pain is a poor parameter of evaluation.