AIM: This critical review describes key methodological aspects for a successful orofacial psychophysical evaluation of the somatosensory system and highlights the diagnostic value of somatosensory assessment and management perspectives based on somatosensory profiling.

METHODS: This topical review was based on a non-systematic search for studies about somatosensory evaluation in orofacial pain in PubMed and Embase.

RESULTS: The recent progress regarding psychophysical evaluation of somatosensory function was largely possible due to the development and application of valid, reliable, and standardized psychophysical methods. Qualitative sensory testing may be useful as a screening tool to rule out relevant somatosensory abnormalities. Nevertheless, the patient should preferably be referred to a more comprehensive assessment with the quantitative sensory testing battery if confirmation of somatosensory abnormalities is necessary. Moreover, the identification of relevant somatosensory alterations in chronic pain disorders that do not fulfill the current criteria to be regarded as neuropathic has also increased the usefulness of somatosensory evaluation as a feasible method to better characterize the patients and perhaps elucidate some underpinnings of the so-called "nociplastic" pain disorders. Finally, an additional benefit of orofacial pain treatment based on somatosensory profiling still needs to be demonstrated and convincing evidence of somatosensory findings as predictors of treatment efficacy in chronic orofacial pain awaits further studies.

CONCLUSION: Psychophysical evaluation of somatosensory function in orofacial pain is still in its infancy but with a clear potential to continue to improve the assessment, diagnosis and management of orofacial pain patients.