This document provides guidance on examining the oral cavity, including the lips, labial mucosa, buccal mucosa, tongue, palate, floor of the mouth, and gingiva. It describes inspecting and palpating each area to check for abnormalities, lesions, or signs of disease. Specific pathological conditions that could be observed in each area are also listed. The document aims to guide dentists in thoroughly examining the structures of the oral cavity through direct visualization and touch.

1. Dr. Asem Mohammed Kamel
EIntraoralxamination

3. The dentist should examine?
1) Lip mucosal surface.
2) Labial frenum.
3) Vermilion border.
4) Oral commissures.
5) Vestibules of the mouth.
6) Minor salivary glands.
1--Clinical Examination
of
Lips & Labial Mucosa

4. Means of clinical examination
1- Inspection
Color of the lips and labial mucosa,
morphology, function, texture and the
presence of abnormal lesion such as
ulceration, anatomic or developmental
abnormalities as cleft lip, double lip, lip pit
and short lip.

5. observe the following:
1) Consistency of the lips and labial mucosa.
2) Pliability of lip surfaces.
3) Indurated lesions of the lips as well as the
glandular involvement.
4) Texture of the lip.
5) Size & shape of the lip must be examined for the
presence of some pathologic conditions.
2- Palpation

6. Lesions of the Lips and labial mucosa
A- Specific
1) chelitis glandularis.
2) chelitisglandularisapostematosa “Melkerson_Rosenthel syndrome”.
3) Lip pits (Congenital sinus of the lower lip).
4) Commissural pit.
5) Double lip.
6) Angular chelitis.
7) Cleft lip.

8. B-common
1) Recurrent herpes labialis.
2) Erythema multiform “Steven Johnson” syndrome.
3) Stomatitis medicamentosa and venenata and angioedema.
4) Smoker’s patch of the lip.
5) Condyloma latum and Condyloma acuminatum .
6) Lichen planus showing white lines “Wickham's stria” on the vermilion border of the
lip.
7) Focal epithelial hyperplasia, characterized by appearance of slightly raised multiple
papules that could involve the lip, caused by human papilloma virus (Heck’s disease).
8) Malignant lesions of the lip as spindle cell carcinoma and epidermoid carcinoma.

9. Recurrent herpes labialis
Erythema multiform
Stomatitis medicamentosa
Smoker’s patch of the lip
Condyloma latum
Condyloma acuminatum
Focal epithelial hyperplasia

10. Means of clinical examination
to see any abnormalities e.g.
- Linea alba buccalis
- Fordyce's granules
- Parotid duct opening
- Ulcers
- Pigmentation e.g. melanoma
2--Clinical examination
of
buccal mucosa

11. Linea alba buccalis
Fordyce's granules
Parotid duct opening
Ulcers
melanoma

12. Means of clinical examination
to feel the consistency and texture of some pathologic conditions as:-
 leukodema
 leukoplakia
 White spongy nevus
 keratotic lichen planus “papule type”
 Specked leukoplakia
 Frictional keratosis
 Smoker keratosis
 Indurated ulcers e.g. malignant ulcer
Clinical examination of buccal mucosa

13. leukodema
leukoplakia
White spongy nevus
keratotic lichen planus
malignant ulcer
Frictional keratosis Specked leukoplakia

14. 3--Clinical Examination
of
Tongue
Taste distribution on the tongue surface
Sweet tip
Sour lateral
Salt dorsal
Bitter back
Nerve supply
Anterior two thirds:
• General sensation by lingual nerve,
branch of trigeminal 5th C.N .
• Taste sensation by chorda tympani,
branch of facial 7th C.N.
Posterior one third:
• General and taste sensation by
glossopharyngeal 9th C.N.
Motor supply
• By hypoglossal nerve 12th C.N.

15. 1- Active movement
Technique:
The clinician ask
- the patient to raise his
tongue against the
palate to see the
ventral surface.
- the patient move the
tongue anteriorly and
laterally to see the
dorsal surface.
Movements of the tongue
2- Passive movement
Technique:
examiner holds tongue
with a piece of gaze
and moves it up and
down and from side
to side to detect any
abnormalities or any
associated pain.
3- Abnormal
movement:
This
movement
usually
performed
by mental
patient.

17. Decreased Tongue Coating: (Atrophy)
1) Pernicious anemia “iron deficiency anemia”.
2) Drug allergy.
3) Diabetes mellitus.
4) Lichen planus of the tongue.
5) Chronic atrophic candidiasis.
6) Tertiary syphilis “syphilitic glossitis”.
7) Geographic tongue and median rhomboid glossitis.
8) Sub epithelial vesiculo-bullous lesions.

18. Pernicious anemia
Drug allergyLichen planus
Chronic atrophic
candidiasis Syphilitic glossitis Geographic tongue
median rhomboid glossitisErythema multiform

19. 1) Hairy leukoplakia “AIDs patients”.
2) Mouth breather patients.
3) Vomiting and stomach upset.
4) Smoker patients.
5) Xerostomia.
6) Some tongue lesions as black hairy tongue.
Increase Tongue Coating

20. Hairly leukoplakia
Black hairy tongue

21. By bidigital palpation to examine
- The consistency of tongue lesion.
- The resiliency and texture.
- The presence of induration, scars and
lesions.
Palpation of the tongue

22. A-- Congenital anomalies
1. Microglossia and aglossia.
2. Macroglossia.
3. Cleft tongue “bifid tongue”.
4. Fissural tongue .
5. Lingual thyroid nodule.
6. Thyroglossal tract cyst.
7. Ankyloglossia
8. Median Rhomboid glossitis.
Diseases of the tongue:

23. Microglossia
Aglossia
Macroglossia
Cleft tongue
Fissural tongue
Lingual thyroid nodule
AnkylogossiaMedian Rhomboid glossitis

24. Diseases of the tongue:
B-- Acquired tongue disease
1. Benign migratory glossitis (geographic tongue).
2. Hairy tongue.
3. Depapillation and atrophic tongue
4. Glossodynia and glossopyrosis.
5. Acquired macroglossia

25. Benign migratory glossitis

26. C- As a manifestation of systemic diseases.
1. Infections e.g. syphilis of tongue “syphilitic glossitis”, gamma of
tongue and T.B. ulcer of tongue.
2. Metabolic e.g. Diabetes militius patients showing depapillation
and atrophic tongue coating.
3. Hormonal e.g. secondary “acquired” macroglossia that associated
with acromegaly and cretinism.
4. Allergy e.g. stomatitis medicamentosa and stomatitis venenata.
5. Hematological e.g. hunter glossitis manifestation of pernicious
anemia and decrease tongue coating. Atrophic tongue changes
commonly associated with iron deficiency anemia and plumer
venison syndrome.
6. Neoplastic e.g. squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue,
lymphangioma, Haemangioma and neurofibromatosis which result
in secondary macroglossia.

27. Clinical examination of Palate
Hard palate
Soft palate
Uvula
1- Inspection:
By using direct and indirect light, visual examination can
be performed by observing the following: the palatal
contour, palatal height, rugae area, incisive papillae and
width of the arch palate. The soft palate should be
inspected for color changes, which usually associated with
different types of anemia, and the mobility of soft palate
must be observed.

28. 2- Palpation:
By using one finger of one hand i.e. “Bidigital
palpation” the palate can be palpated starting
from the anterior region and proceeding
posteriorly and laterally.
The junction between soft and hard palate
should be palpated gently. Any abnormal
texture such as egg shell, cracking or
fluctuation and swelling must be recorded.

29. The movement of soft palate should be
observed by asking the patient to say ahh,
this giving idea about the integrity of the 9th
and 10th cranial nerves. If paralysis of these
nerves occurred the uvula will be shifted
toward the unaffected side.
The uvula is varying considerably in size
from individual to another and examined by
means of inspection.It may be congenitally
absent or lost during surgery or may appear
bifid and represent a form of cleft palate.

30. Cystsofthepalate
-Incisivecanalcyst -Cystofpalatinepapilla
-Median-palatinecyst -Globulo-maxillary cyst
-Naso-palatine cyst
Whitelesionscommonly involvingthepalate
-Thermalburnsuchaspizzaburn -Stomatitisnicotina
Congenitalabnormality ofthepalate
-Cleftpalate. -Toruspalatinus.
Common infectionsinvolvingthehardpalate e.g.
-Syphiliticinfectionduringsecondaryandtertiarystagesuchas “gamma”
-Fungalinfectionsuchasmoniliasisespecially inAIDSpatient
-Drainingsinusfromperiapicalabscess.
Tumorsofhardpalate:
-Adenocarcinoma. -Squamouscellcarcinoma
Lesionsofthehardpalate

31. Pizza burn

32. Stomatitis nicotina

33. Cleft palate

34. Torus palatinus

35. Syphilitic perforation of the palate

36. Fungal infection of the palate

37. Draining sinus from periapical abscess

38. Squamous cell carcinoma

39. Incisive canal cyst Cyst of palatine papilla
Globulo-maxillary cyst
Median-palatine cyst
Naso-palatine cyst

40.  Herpetic infections of herpes simplex virus
(primary and secondary lesions)
 Herpes zoster
 Herpangina
 Recurrent aphthous ulcers
 Diphtheria.
Common lesions of the soft palate.

41. Secondary herpetic stomatitis

42. Herpes zoster

43. Herpangina

44. Recurrent aphthous ulcers

45. Diphtheria

46. 1- Inspection:
floor of mouth can be inspected by asking the patient
to raise his tongue to reveal the structures and
landmarks such as lingual frenum, orifices of the
sublingual and submaxillary salivary gland and
lingual vein.
The color of the mucosa covering the floor of the
mouth must be observed for any pathological lesions
such as rannula, mucocele, ulceration and swelling.
Clinical examination of floor of mouth

47. 2- Bimanual palpation
The Clinician fix the tissues extra-orally by four
finger of one hand and the other hand running intra-
orally to help in the identification of any pathologic
condition involving the floor of mouth such as
salivary gland calculi and sub-maxillary lymph node
involvement.

49. 1) Ranula and mucous retention cyst
2) Hyperkeratotic lesion e.g. leukoplakia
3) Dermoid and epidermis carcinoma
4) Dermoid and epidermoid cyst
5) Salivary gland stone.
6) Ulcer of the floor of the mouth
Common lesions involving the floor of mouth

50. Ranula

51. 1. gingiva:
It divided into free gingival, interdental papilla and attached gingiva.
2. Periodontal ligament (P.L):
Principal Collagen Fibers of Periodontal Ligament include Alveolar
crestal fibers, Horizontal fibers, Oblique fibers and apical fibers.
Periodontal ligament have mechanical, formative, nutritive and sensory
functions.
3.The alveolar bone:
These processes are composed of cancellous bone covered with cortical
bone. The spaces in the alveolar bone that accommodate the roots of the
teeth are known alveoli. The alveoli are lined with a layer of bone called
alveolar bone proper or cribriform plate.
4.Cementum:
It is continuously formed on root surfaces that are in contact with the
periodontal ligament or gingival fibers. The width of cementum varies
from 16-60um in the coronal half of the root, its much thicker, on the
apical third of the root, being 150-200um.
Clinical examination of periodontium

52. Lamina Dura: it is alveolar bone proper or cribriform plate
which appears as white line on the radiograph.

53. crestal lamina Dura: layer of bone covers the crest of the
interproximal bone

54. supporting alveolar bone: the cancellous and cortical
bone that surrounds the alveolar bone proper

55. interproximal bone or interdental septum: it is The
bone located between the roots of the adjacent teeth.

56. inter-radicular bone: it is located between the roots of
multirooted teeth.

57. radicular bone: it is the alveolar process located on the
facial or lingual surfaces of the roots of teeth

58. Fenestration: it is isolated areas which the root denuded of bone
and root surface is covered only by periosteum and overlying
gingiva.
Dehiscence: it is denuded areas extend through the marginal
bone.

60. to determine the following:
1) Whether the patient periodontium is healthy or
diseased.
2) The extent of the tissue damaged if pathological
change is present.
3) The characteristics of the periodontal disease
that well enable the determination of the
diagnosis, etiology, prognosis and treatment
plan.
importance of periodontium examination

61. I- Inspection
a. Gingival colour: pink, red, bluish red or other colour
variation.
b. Gingival contour “Both marginal and papillary”: normal,
rounded, crater or other anatomical variation.
c. Gingival size: normal size, gingival enlargement or
gingival recession.
d. Position of the gingiva: Adjacent to cemento-enamel
junction or receded coronal to cement enamel junction.
Means of clinical examination

62. II- Palpation
a. Gingival consistency: Normal, edematous, fibrotic or
fiber edematous.
b. Gingival texture “stippling”: normal, decrease, increase
or lack of it.
c. Tooth mobility: by using the handles of two dental
instruments apply alternate pressure on the buccal or lingual
surface of each tooth.
d. Migration: migration is a pathological movement of the
teeth in labial, distal, mesial or supra occlusion. Migration is
common feature of some periodontal disease e.g. aggressive
periodontal, it may relate to some habit e.g. tongue
thrusting.

63. III- Probing
A. Bleeding on probing: No or yes if yes slight, moderate or
severe.
B. Evaluation of probing depth: By use of the calibrated
periodontal probe.
C. Furcation involvement: The furcation involvement exists
if the periodontal disease extended to involve the alveolar bones
i.e. bone resorption as well as attachment loss occurs.
The straight periodontal probe adequate to detect buccal and
lingual furcation. However special curved probe (Naber’s-1 and
Naber’s-2) is helpful for examination of furcation region. The
periodontal abscess may be complication in area of furcation
involvement.

64. • The graduated periodontal probe should not
penetrate apically beyond cemento-enamel
junction
Gingival pocket
• The graduated periodontal probe should
penetrate beyond the cemento-enamel
junction but not pass apically to the crest of
the alveolar bone
Suprabony pocket
• the periodontal probe should penetrate the
cement enamel junction and pass apically to
the crest of the alveolar bone.
infrabony pocket
Types of periodontal pockets

66. Bi or Tri furcation involvement

67. Glickman (1958): Horizontal classification
Grade I: Incipient involvement of furcation with suprabony pocket
and no interradicular bone loss.
Grade II: Any involvement of the interradicular bone without through-
and-through probability (cul-de-sac ).
Grade III: Through-and-through loss of interradicular bone.
Grade IV: Through-and through loss of interradicular bone, with total
exposure of furcation owing to gingival recession.
Classification of furcation involvement

69. Tarnow and Fletcher (1984): vertical classification
loss is measured in mm from the roof of the furcation
Grade I: Vertical loss of to 3 mm.
Grade II: Vertical loss of 4 to 6 mm.
Grade III: Vertical loss of 7 mm.

70. The mesial furcation should be probed from the palatal
aspect of the tooth.
The distal furcation can be probed from either the buccal
or the palatal aspect of the tooth.
Maxillary molars furcation involvement

71. D. Assessment of attachment level:
III- Probing
The attachment level is measured by means of
graduated periodontal probe “ mm
measurement” from the cemento-enamel
junction to the bottom of the gingival sulcus.
Probing of attachment levels gives an accurate
estimation of the degree of the periodontal
tissue destruction and indirectly reflect the
levels of the alveolar bony defects.

72. If there is apparent recession clinically i.e. the cemento-
enamel junction visible
the attachment level is measured directly from the
cemento-enamel junction to the bottom of the pocket.
In cases of gingival recession the attachment level is
greater than pocket depth.
Assessment of attachment level

73. If there is no apparent recession i.e. the cemento-enamel junction is
covered by the free gingiva.
Slide the probe along the tooth surface into the pocket until the
CEJ is felt. Then Record in mm from CEJ to the gingival margin.
Measure in mm the distance from the gingival margin to the bottom
of the pocket.
Subtract the mm distance from CEJ to the gingival margin from the
total pocket depth to obtain attachment level.

74. E. Bone involvement
by using periodontal probe the amount of
bone resorption can evaluated by
measuring the distance from the dento-
gingival attachment to the level of
cemento-enamel junction.

75. The patient is anesthetized and the periodontal
probe is placed in the sulcus and pushed
through the attachment apparatus until the tip
of the probe engages alveolar bone. The
measurements are made on anterior teeth mid-
facially and at the facial/interproximal line
angles.
Bone sounding procedure

77. Mucogingival assessment

78. It is determined by subtracting the sulcus or
pocket depth from total width of gingiva.
WIDTH OF ATTACHED GINGIVA

79. 1. Mucogingival junction assessed as a
scalloped line separating attached
gingiva from the alveolar mucosa.
Assessed as a borderline between
movable and immovable tissue.
2. Tissue mobility is assessed by running
a horizontally positioned probe from
the vestibule toward the gingival
margin using light force (tension test).
3. Assessed visually after staining the
Mucogingival junction with iodine
solution. Attached Gingiva –
Keratinized – No glycogen in the
superficial layer – Iodine Reactive
Negative

80. Inspection
Inspection of the dentition must be include the following:
1. Discoloration and staining.
2. The teeth number.
3. Teeth shape and structures.
4. The size of the teeth.
5. Dental caries.
6. Attrition, Abrasion and erosion.
7. Functional relation and proximal contact & occlusion.
8. Teeth vitality.
9. Other problems e.g. tooth fracture.
10. Mobility of the teeth.
Clinical examination of the teeth

81. Causes of extrinsic discoloration.
1. - Dental plaque formation.
2. - Food pigments.
3. - Tobacco and smoking.
4. - Chromogenic bacteria.
5. - Medications by drugs.

82. Causes of intrinsic discoloration of the teeth
1.Amelogenesis imperfecta.
2.Dentinogenesis imperfecta.
3.Fluorine intoxication, tooth appears “chalky
white”.
4.Severe jaundice, the teeth appear blue or green.
5.Porphyria the teeth appear dark red.
6.Tetracycline administration appear dark brown .
7.Teeth with necrotic pulp, caries or injuries

83. Fluorine intoxication
Prophyria
jaundice
Tetracycline stain Necrotic pulp

84. 1- Anodontia (Complete or Partial)
2- Supernumaray teeth
3- Predeciduous dentition
4- Post permanent dentition
Size of tooth
Number of teeth:
- Macrodontia - Microdontia
( true generalized, relative generalized or localized)

85. Macrodontia

86. Microdontia

87. Supernumaray teeth

88. Supernumaray teeth

89. Predeciduous dentition

90. a- Amelogenesis imperfecta
b- Enamel hypoplasia due to
- Nutritional deficiency.
- Congenital syphilis.
- Hypoplasia due to hypocalcaemia.
- Hypoplasia due to tooth injuries.
- Hypoplasia due to local infection and trauma.
- Hypoplasia due to fluoride (Mottled enamel) .
c- Enamel and dentin aplasia
d- Enamel and dentin hypocalcification.
Abnormality of tooth structure.

91. Enamel hypoplasia

92. Anomalies of growth “eruption of the teeth”
Attrition, erosion and abrasion of the teeth
Function relationship between teeth and jaws:
1- Pathologic migration
2- Open contact (proximal contact)
3- Occlusion abnormalities
- Open bite - Cross bite
- Edge to edge - Deep over jet
- Deep over bite
1- Delayed eruption.
2- Multiple unerupted teeth.
3- Embedded and impacted teeth.

93. Pathologic migration

94. Open contact

95. Open bite

96. Cross bite

97. Edge to edge bite

98. Deep overjet bite

99. Deep overbite

100. Palpation
tooth mobility
Causes of tooth mobility:
1- Periodontal inflammation
2- Bone loss “bone resorption”.
3- The presence of occlusal trauma
Classification of tooth mobility:
Grade I: Slight mobility but the patient is not aware of it.
Grade II: Moderate mobility but the patient know it and not feel
discomfort during eating.
Grade III: Severe mobility and the patient feel discomfort
during eating.

101. Probing “Exploration of the teeth”
detect pulpal exposure, worn teeth and dental caries.
Exploration of teeth must be fine and sharp, the
clinician should be considered that many areas of the
occlusal and proximal portions of the teeth which may
be over looked. Exploration is performed with explorer
No. (17).
All surface of the tooth must be examined before
proceeding to the next one.

102. by using light instrument e.g. explorer no. 17
1- Solid sound (vital tooth)
2- Dull sound (non-vital tooth)
Percussion of the teeth

103. 1- Dental caries
2- Gemination
3- Concrescence
4- Dilaceration
5- Dens in dent
6- Supernumerary root
7- Ankylosed decidous tooth
8- Impeded and impacted teeth
Radiographic examination

104. Dental caries

105. Gemination

106. Concrescence

107. Dilaceration

108. Dens in dent

109. Supernumerary root

110. Ankylosed decidous tooth

111. Impacted teeth

112. General indication of vitality test:
1) Teeth discoloration.
2) Fractured tooth.
3) Deep carious lesion.
4) Dental restoration.
Non vital teeth appear clinically as gray, black or
bluish black.
Causes of non-vital tooth: Trauma, Caries,
Accidental exposure
Pulp vitality test

113. Vitality pulp examined by
1- Electric pulp testing
2- Thermal pulp test
3- Periapical x- ray film
4- Percussion

114. Indication;
 It is indicated to determine the presence or absence of
vital nerve within the pulp chamber.
Test result;
 The result of electric pulp testing is painful response
following stimulation is an evidence of tooth vitality.
Advantage of electric pulp testing
 control stimulation can be applied in gradual increase
of the degree so the clinician avoid excessive pain to
patient.
Electric pulp testing

115. Technique of electric pulp testing
1. The clinician should inform his patient about the
nature of vitality test.
2. The teeth must be dry and then the dentist applies
the electrode on the sound tooth structure.
3. The electrode must be gradually increased to avoid
sever pain to the patient.
4. The electrode should not place near the gingival
tissues or any metallic felling.
5. Testing of sound tooth may be performed as a control
for comparison.

117. Indication:
Painful tooth in which the cause of pain is not clear.
Procedures:
1. The tooth surface should be dry.
2. Small piece of cotton sprayed with ethyl chloride is applied on
the tooth surface.
3. A hot cylindrical stick of gutta percha may be used.
The result of thermal pulp testing
Tooth with painful pulpitis will give severe painful response either
with hot or cold application than adjacent normal teeth.
Thermal pulp testing

118. Primary components of the TMJ.
1- Mandibular condyle.
2- The articular surface of the temporal bone.
3- The articular disc.
4- The joint capsule.
Clinical Examination
of
Tempromandibular Joint

119. Dr Alaa Atia, Al-Azhar university, Egypt: 2009

120. major sensory innervations of the T.M.J.
are derived from branches of the
auriculotemporal nerve with branches of
the masseteric and posterior deep temporal
nerve.
The blood supply of T.M.J. is primary
by the superficial temporal artery.

121. 1) Deviation in form.
2) Disc displacement
3) Inflammatory condition:
4) - Synovitis - Capsulitis
5) Arthritis: e.g.
6) - Osteoarthritis - Rhumatoid arthritis
7) Dislocation.
8) Ankylosis (bony or fibrous).
9) Neoplasia.
10)Clicking
11)Myofacial pain dysfunction syndrome
Classification of TMJ disorders:

122. 1- History
2- Inspection
3- Palpation
4- Radiographic examination
Examination of TMJ

123. The patient is asked about:
a- History of pain in ear & TMJ, face, neck.
b- During opening wide, chewing, speaking, or
swallowing. Also history pain on yawing.
c- Do you experience pain in the teeth.
d- Do you feel clicking & snapping on TMJ
e- History of jaw injuries.
f- Muscle and joint pain in any site of the body.
History

124. To determine deviation of jaw from the midline
during the opening and closing of the jaws.
Causes of jaw deviation.
- Traumatic injuries of the joint.
- Infection of the jaw.
- Fractures of the jaw.
- Muscles hypertrophy and hypotrophy.
- Some neuromuscular diseases.
Inspection of TMJ:

125. Palpation of TMJ may be bimanual and bidigital
palpation.
a- Palpation may reveal pain and irregularities
during condylar movement, described as clicking.
b- Palpation just anterior and posterior to the
lateral pole should detect pain associated with
TMJ capsular ligament.
c- The comparison between both condyles may be
assessed by palpation.
Palpation of TMJ:

126. Dr Alaa Atia, Al-Azhar university, Egypt: 2009
a- Plain radiography
- Transcranial TMJ view
- Panoramic view
b- Computed tomography scanning (CT)
c- Arthrography ( by using contrast mat.)
d- Magnatic resonance imaging (MRI)
e- Radioisotopse
Radiographic examination

127. THANK YOU