Radiographic changes in temporomandibular joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that has unknown etiology. Its symptoms, general weakness and fatigue start with pain in joint and muscles. There is very little known and published about the manifestations of RA in temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Symptoms of TMJ involvement appear as limited movement of jaw, dysfunction of TMJ and crepitation. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to compare the radiographic and clinical signs and symptoms of a group of healthy adults and RA patients. One of the most frequent signs is erosion of condylar head. There is very little statistical data in medical and dental literature about TMJ involvement in RA. Methods: In the present study thirty RA patients who were admitted to Shahed dental school in Tehran were selected. The volunteers aged 21-77 years old who were compared with 30 healthy adults with no history of RA. The two groups were matched according to age, gender and form of edentulousness. All volunteers Had TMJ transcranial x-rays and went through an extensive TMJ clinical examination. Results: The results of the study showed out of 21 variables investigated there was significantly difference (P<0.05) only in one variable i.e. erosion of the head of condyle, between the RA patients and healthy adults. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that the only radiographic manifestation of RA is erosion of condyle which is of high value to general dentists who might encounter these patients and then correctly referring them for specialist treatment.