Perform light touch, sharp/dull, and hot/cold sensory testing on the entire facial region making certain to thoroughly test the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandible divisions. It is important to test for differences side to side in all divisions and to map the distribution(s) of sensory loss, if present. Document normal or abnormal responses. Light touch sensory testing in the left maxillary division is pictured to the right.

Special Instructions or Considerations

• Most sensory tests are performed with the patient's eyes closed
• Because pain and temperature pathways are measured with sharp/dull, the clinician seldom tests temperature unless sharp/dull is obscure, as both are typically affected