Details of the patient s complaint should be considered together with the medical history. The following points are particularly relevant and are covered more fully in Part 2.
1. Where is the pain?
1. Where is the pain?
2. When was the pain first noticed?
3. Description of the pain.
4. Under what circumstances does the pain
occur?
occur?
5. Does anything relieve it?
6. Any associated tenderness or swelling.
7. Previous dental history:
a) recent treatment;
a) recent treatment;
b) periodontal treatment;
c) any history of trauma to the teeth.
Particular note should be made of any disorders which may affect the differential diagnosis of dental pain, such as myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPD), neurological disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia, vascular pain syndromes and maxillary sinus disorders.
Diagnostic aids
Particular note should be made of any disorders which may affect the differential diagnosis of dental pain, such as myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPD), neurological disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia, vascular pain syndromes and maxillary sinus disorders.
Diagnostic aids
Periapical radiographs taken with a paralleling technique.
Electric pulp tester for testing pulpal responses.
Ice sticks, hot gutta-percha, cold spray and hot water for testing thermal responses.
Periodontal probe.