# Data analysis for differentiating temporo mandibular disorders (TMD) pain from tooth pain

## TL;DR

This study explores how a questionnaire can help distinguish between jaw pain and tooth pain before treatment.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the TMD Pain Screener questionnaire in identifying TMD pain.

## Key findings

- The TMD Pain Screener questionnaire showed high sensitivity for identifying various types of TMDs.
- It was particularly effective for TMD pain that refers to teeth only.
- The questionnaire can be useful in patients seeking endodontic therapy.

## Abstract

The factors differentiating temporomandibular disorders (TMD) pain from tooth pain is of interest to dentists. Prior to receiving
therapy, participants answered the six-question TMD Pain Screener questionnaire. Applying validated Diagnostic Guidelines for TMD
(DC/TMD), an orofacial pain specialist and endodontic resident with board certification performed endodontic and TMD examinations. In
our study, sensitivity was higher for TMD screener regarding identification of all types of TMDs (0.94 (0.80-0.97), TMD pain not
referring to teeth (0.94 (0.76-0.98), TMD pain referring to teeth only (0.94 (0.64-1.00)). TMD Pain Screener questionnaire can be
applied in identification of TMDS in patient seeking endodontic therapy.