Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a chronic pediatric musculoskeletal condition with significant orofacial manifestations

Abstract

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), a broad term that describes a clinically heterogeneous group of arthritides of unknown cause, begins before 16 years of age. The hallmark feature of JIA is chronic inflammation of the joints, but the term encompasses several disease categories. The cause of JIA is still poorly understood and none of the available drugs for JIA can cure the disease. However, the prognosis has greatly improved as a result of progress in disease classification and management. The dental practitioner should be familiar with the symptoms and oral manifestations of JIA to help manage this disease.