A systematic review of temporomandibular disorder diagnostic methods

ABSTRACT

Objective: To compile the screening tools used to study temporomandibular disorders (TMD), classify and analyze their potential application in the field of physiotherapy.

Methods: All gathered data included randomized clinical trials on humans over 18 years of age pulled from three databases up to November 2019.

Results: Nineteen articles were retained, in which the subjects included 1095 women and 385 men. The 32 valuation systems reported were classified as follows: direct, requiring observation and/or palpation in situ by a clinician, which can be subdivided into protocols and instrumental systems; and indirect, requiring neither observation nor palpation by a clinician, which can be subdivided into questionnaires and scales.

Conclusion: In order to evaluate TMD, the best choice is to combine direct and indirect assessment methodologies. The valuation of pressure pain threshold with an algometer and Fonseca’s Anamnestic Index in combination with Anamnestic Questionnaire CMD, respectively, seems to provide the best results.

KEYWORDS:

• Temporomandibular joint
• diagnosis
• physical examination
• physiotherapy

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Evan Patrick Gillick Kraayenbrink and Mª Isabel Mansilla for the English revision of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grants from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors.