Facioskeletal changes in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Objective: To investigate the facioskeletal morphology in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with and without temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement. Methods: Eighty five patients were included. TMJ involvement was defined by orthopantomogram alterations. Lateral cephalograms were used to determine linear and angular measurements and occlusion. Results: Patients regardless of their TMJ status had a 67% chance for retrognathia and a 52% chance for posterior rotation of the mandible and, respectively, 82% and 58% if TMJ involvement were present. Changes were not uniformly distributed among the different subtypes. Conclusion: Patients with JIA have an altered facial morphology, especially in the presence of TMJ involvement.