Treatment management of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis with temporomandibular joint involvement: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to systematically review the available literature on the treatment of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement.

Study design: According to the PRISMA statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, studies were included until August 2012.

Results: A total of 40 articles were identified. TMJ involvement in patients with JIA varies between 17% and 87%. The mean age at diagnosis of JIA is 7.2 years. TMJ treatment can be divided into 2 main groups, an arthritis group and a dentofacial deformity group. The main treatment modalities are counseling, pharmaceutical interventions, physiotherapy, orthodontic treatment, surgery, or a combination of the aforementioned therapies.

Conclusions: TMJ involvement in patients with JIA has a high incidence. There is no consensus on the treatment of TMJ pathology and dentofacial deformities in patients with JIA, and treatment varies from counseling to surgery. Treatment to improve aesthetics and function and to obtain pain reduction can be effective. However, the articles are heterogeneous, and the level of evidence is low (level IV).