Information returned by sys.dm_db_missing_index_details is updated when a query is optimized by the query optimizer, and is not persisted. Missing index information is kept only until SQL Server is restarted. Database administrators should periodically make backup copies of the missing index information if they want to keep it after server recycling.
To determine which missing index groups a particular missing index is part of, you can query the sys.dm_db_missing_index_groups dynamic management view by equijoining it with sys.dm_db_missing_index_details based on the index_handle column.
For information about enabling and disabling missing index information collection, see About the Missing Indexes Feature.
For information about limitations of this feature, see Limitations of the Missing Indexes Feature.
Using Missing Index Information in CREATE INDEX Statements
To convert the information returned by sys.dm_db_missing_index_details into a CREATE INDEX statement, equality columns should be put before the inequality columns, and together they should make the key of the index. Included columns should be added to the CREATE INDEX statement using the INCLUDE clause. To determine an effective order for the equality columns, order them based on their selectivity: list the most selective columns first (leftmost in the column list). For more information about writing CREATE INDEX statements using the missing index information returned by sys.dm_db_missing_index_details, see Using Missing Index Information to Write CREATE INDEX Statements.
Transaction Consistency
If a transaction creates or drops a table, the rows containing missing index information about the dropped objects are removed from this dynamic management object, preserving transaction consistency. For more information about transaction consistency in relation to the missing indexes dynamic management objects, see About the Missing Indexes Feature.