[Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: the role of the TMJ and stomatognathic system].

Abstract

Juvenile chronic arthritis (j.c.a) often affects the maxillo-facial complex over all in relation to jaw and temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ). In this work 35 j.c.a. patients (aged 6 to 16 years) have been selected and studied in order to detect functional and morphostructural involvement of stomatognathic apparatus and TMJ. The involvement of these structures is appeared significantly increased during j.c.a. also in patients without clinic symptoms referable to a stomatognathic apparatus pathology. Therefore an early diagnosis as well as a preventive orthognatodontic treatment are necessary to reduce long term effects on the stomatognathic apparatus multifunctions.