Mandible Algorithm

An interactive decision flowchart for temporomandibular complaints. After red flag screening it works through tenderness on palpation of the masticatory muscles against the RDC/TMD myofascial criterion with a pressure pain threshold, persistent restriction of functional mouth opening, a reproducible click during opening and whether the jaw deviates, joint crepitus during movement including the coarse crepitus that suggests advanced osteoarthritis, and lateral or posterior preauricular tenderness combined with painful active movement.

Written for qualified clinicians. The tool supports clinical reasoning; it does not replace examination, imaging or diagnosis.