A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic and therapeutic steps.
Extraoral examination
- Inspection
- Facial asymmetries [ameloblastoma] [fibromyxoma]
- Swellings
- Fistulas
- Skin florescences (skin lesions)
- Abnormal findings on the eye [exophthalmos – pathological protrusion of the eyeball from the orbit – in advanced fibromyxoma].
- Lip closure
- Palpation
- Bimanual (symmetry comparison)
- Bony facial skull [spontaneous fracture possible in ameloblastoma].
- Lymph nodes
- Nerves, nerve exit points
Intraoral examination
- Mucosa, gingiva (oral mucosa) [ulceration in advanced fibromyxoma][exophytic growth in peripheral ameloblastoma][classic ameloblastoma].
- Bone distention [ameloblastoma][ossifying fibroma][fibromyxoma][benign cementoblastoma]
- Swelling [ameloblastoma] [benign cementoblastoma] [calcifying odontogenic cyst]
- Mandibular rim – palpability
- “Parchment crackling” [thin compacta over tumor].
- Dental findings (general dental findings).
- Tooth eruption disturbed [Unicystic ameloblastoma][Ameloblastic fibroma][AOT] [Calcifying odontogenic cyst].
- Sensitivity testing [positive for cementoblastoma]
- Tooth strength [loosening in ameloblastoma]
- Functional findings
- Occlusion (bite together) – deviations [Fibromyxoma]
- Tooth tilts and displacements [fibromyxoma]
Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.
