Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42046845›Full record

SynthesisClinical and experimental dental research2026

Comparing Traditional Versus AI-Assisted TMJ Disorder Management Approaches: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Vini Mehta, Annie Vathani, Praveen Kumar Gonuguntla Kamma, Saurabh Chaturvedi, Ankita Mathur, Toufiq Noor

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisComparative Study
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Clinical and experimental dental research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Vini MehtaDental Research Cell, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, India.ORCID 0000-0003-4174-907X
Annie VathaniKalam Institute of Health Technology, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Praveen Kumar Gonuguntla KammaCelebrate Dental & Braces, Walzem Road, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Saurabh ChaturvediDepartment of Prosthetic Dentistry, College of Dentistry, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0001-7832-3772
Ankita MathurDental Research Cell, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, India.ORCID 0000-0002-9004-9072
Toufiq NoorDental Research Cell, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College & Hospital, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis compared traditional diagnostic approaches with artificial intelligence (AI)-based techniques for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) and evaluated their diagnostic accuracy.

methodsLiterature searches across PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, and Google Scholar identified studies published between 1st January 2010 to 20th April 2025. Eligible studies used AI-based algorithms, such as deep learning (DL), machine learning (ML), or computer-aided diagnostic tools, for TMD diagnosis or management, reporting performance metrics including sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Traditional approaches, including clinical examinations, radiographic assessments, and standardized diagnostic criteria (DC/TMD), serve as comparators. Risk of bias was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2). Meta-analysis was conducted in the form of pooled sensitivity and specificity.

resultsFourteen studies were included, comprising AI models trained on clinical and imaging data including cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and orthopantomogram (OPG). AI methods showed moderate-to-high diagnostic accuracy, with sensitivity ranging from 0.66 to 0.88 and specificity from 0.72 to 0.86. A meta-analysis of five studies showed pooled sensitivity and specificity estimates within these ranges. Among the included studies, AI models integrated radiomic as well as semantic features to achieve sensitivity from 0.82 to 0.93, and specificity from 0.76 to 0.90; however, evidence showed low certainty because bias risk was high (7/9 studies), sample sizes were small (mean n = 42), and external validation was absent in 8 of 9 studies.

conclusionAI-assisted techniques offer significant potential to complement traditional TMD diagnostic methods by enhancing the diagnostic precision. However, owing to methodological limitations, further high-quality prospective studies with standardized reporting are needed to validate the use of AI in TMD management.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceDiagnosis, Computer-AssistedTemporomandibular Joint DisordersCone-Beam Computed TomographyHumansMachine LearningMagnetic Resonance ImagingSensitivity and Specificityartificial intelligencediagnostic accuracymachine learningmeta‐analysisradiomicssystematic reviewtemporomandibular joint disorder

Identifiers

PMID42046845
PMCPMC13122102

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.