Mandibular condyle lesions, jaw movements, and occlusal status in 15-year-old children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract – The purpose was to determine the number and severity of lesions in the temporomandibular area and their association with occlusal status and mandibular movements, in 15-yr-old children afflicted with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The series comprised 121 JRA children, 78 girls and 43 boys, and a control group of 104 schoolchildren, 70 girls and 34 boys, taken for clinical examination. Of the JRA children, 55% had roentgenologically detectable lesions in the TMJ area. Lesions were found in 60% of the girls and in 42% of the boys, the ratio thus being 3:2. The largest group had grave lesions (48%), the second largest displayed flattening of the condyle (43%) and the smallest a flattened condyle with a minor lesion (9%). There were more bilateral lesions in the children with the severest lesions. Tendencies for Class II malocclusion, small vertical overbite and open bite were visible in the JRA children. Reduced maximal opening capacity, maximal protrusion, lateral movements of the mandible and pain in the TMJ area proved to be reliable signs predicting temporomandibular joint involvement in JRA children. Maximal mouth opening capacity was significantly restricted in the patients showing condylar lesions as compared with patients having no lesions or with controls. JRA children should be divided according to sex and the severity of the lesions. The JRA children without TMJ lesions had normal values for mandibular movements and were thus comparable to healthy children.