Herpes zoster of the trigeminal nerve: the dentist's role in diagnosis and management.

Herpes zoster is caused when the varicella/zoster virus that has remained latent since an earlier varicella infection is reactivated. During the prodromal stage, the only presenting symptom may be odontalgia, which may prove to be a diagnostic challenge for the dentist. He or she may carry out emergency treatment that might be irreversible or inappropriate, as well as delay appropriate treatment. With an ever-increasing number of elderly and immunocompromised patients attending the dentist, the dental profession can expect to encounter an increased number of herpes zoster patients. The practising dentist must be familiar with the presenting signs and symptoms of patients experiencing the prodromal manifestations of herpes zoster of the trigeminal nerve.