Diagnosis and Classification

In order to diagnose and characterize TMD, many indexes have been devised as standardized tools for clinical applications; one of the earliest was described by Helkimo (Sven Tandlak Tidskr. 1974;67(2):101–21). Subsequent indexes were developed for clinical research and this led to the RDC/TMD (Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD); this has been further developed to the DC/TMD with a more clinical application (Schiffman E, Ohrbach R. J Am Dent Assoc. 2016;147(6):438–45).