Clinical examination of motor and sensory functions of the adult oral cavity

Alterations in oral motor and sensory performance are common. A traditional head and neck examination, however, does not fully assess these functions of the oral-facial region. This article presents an examination that emphasizes the clinical evaluation of oral motor and oral sensory abilities. These procedures should be considered as an addition to a routine assessment of the head and neck. An uncomplicated summary severity rating scale was developed to express the results of this examination. Two case reports demonstrate the utility of the examination in diagnosis and management of patients with oral complaints.