With the information obtained from the history and routine physical examination, a diagnosis can usually be made, or the information can at least provide the clinician with direction for subsequent diagnostic procedures. Additional questioning of the patient or more specialized examination procedures may still be needed to confirm a diagnosis or distinguish between several possible diagnoses. Examples of more specialized physical examination procedures are the charting of dental restorations, caries, and periodontal defects; dental pulp vitality testing; detailed evaluation of salivary gland function
(see Chapter 9, Salivary Gland Disease); and assessments of occlusion, masticatory muscles, and temporomandibular joint function (see Chapter 10, Temporomandibular Disorders). Radiography of the teeth and jaws, computer-assisted scanning (computed tomography [CT]), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint, salivary glands, and other softtissue structures of the head and neck (see Chapter X) can provide visible evidence of suspected physical abnormalities, and a variety of laboratory aids to diagnosis (such as serology, biopsy, and blood chemistry, hematologic, and microbiologic procedures) can be used to confirm a suspected diagnosis or to identify a systemic abnormality contributing to the patient’s signs and symptoms.