Click on image to view larger version.
Figure 3. Algorithm for the final diagnosis of "Primary BMS" or "Secondary BMS". (a) Diagnostic procedure: This examination should be focused on the detection of local/systemic factors associated with the syndrome; dental/denture assessment may indicate a basis for potential functional/parafunctional habits and/or dental design errors; sialometry and sialochemistry may provide diagnosis of hyposalivation and salivary composition changes, respectively; taste and sensory function tests may confirm (or exclude) neuropathic disorders; hematological exams must include full blood cell count and differential, hematinic assays, evaluation of vitamin B status and folate, and blood glucose levels. (b) Final diagnosis: When the clinical examination shows one or more of the above factors in a BMS subject, the patient is considered as affected with "Associated BMS", as a result of local and/or systemic factors. Patients with normal local/systemic evaluation are considered to have "Idiopathic BMS". (c) Psychological evaluation: The goal is to detect the psychogenic pain component of the patients by means of proper structured interviews and/or psychodynamic questionnaires.
