Objective evaluation of oral and maxillofacial sensory nerves.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to recommend a set of methods for the clinical objective evaluation of neurosensory nerves and to establish criteria for the clinical objective evaluation of oral and maxillofacial regions in a Chinese population. METHODS: Sensations in the oral and maxillofacial regions of 35 healthy subjects were objectively and quantitatively evaluated by means of two-point discrimination, static light touch, brush directional stroke, and thermal discrimination. RESULTS: Criteria for the clinical neurosensory evaluation were established for the sensations of the oral and maxillofacial regions of healthy Chinese. CONCLUSIONS: Two-point discrimination, static light touch, brush directional discrimination, and thermal discrimination can provide objective, quantitative information for the evaluation of sensory nerve impairment. These convenient methods represent the important tools in the diagnosis and treatment of sensory nerve impairment in oral and maxillofacial regions.