New criteria on the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) have been developed to help clinicians better identify this group of often-painful jaw conditions that affects an estimated 10% to 15% of Americans (J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2014;28[1]:6-27).
The evidence-based criteria comprise an improved screening tool to help health professionals more readily differentiate the most common forms of TMD.
“We’ve had diagnostic criteria for years; what is unique here is instead of a panel of experts empirically deciding best practices, we relied on science as a methodology to test our best assumptions,” explained co-lead author Eric Schiffman, DDS.
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Most people with chronic temporomandibular problems also suffer from other ailments. The new diagnostic criteria facilitate the physical as well as the psychosocial assessments of patients.
