The validity and utility of disease detection methods and of occlusal therapy for temporomandibular disorders

Abstract

Our evaluation of the clinical usefulness or devices for the diagnosis or treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) led to the conclusion that the only current gold standard for TMD is a global clinical examination, because none of the instruments can be said to provide more than ancillary documentation and none have proven diagnostic validity or utility. Regarding the therapeutic efficacy of occlusal adjustment, we could find no comparative studies that test the efficacy of occlusal adjustment in preventing TMD. The studies we reviewed on the relationship of occlusion to TMD are not convincing, powerful, or practical enough to make any recommendations about a causal association.