Assessment of condylar angulations in patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Aim: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is an inflammatory joint disease of unknown etiology which affects the body joints, including the temporomandibular joint. However, it is often asymptomatic at the level of the temporomandibular joint, and, for this reason, its diagnosis is easily delayed. It occurs before the age of 16, with a higher incidence in females and it lasts for more than 6 weeks. It not only leads to the erosion of the condyles, but also it causes an alteration of their angulation. The aim of this work is to evaluate the difference in angulation between healthy and diseased condyles in patients affected by JIA. Methods: 30 patients were selected, 25 females and 5 males, out of an initial sample of 50, so that they were aged between 4 and 16 years, and their CBCTs were analyzed. The angles between healthy and diseased right and left condyles were measured using the 3Diagnosys program and the difference in angulation was evaluated. Results: an average difference of 9.8 ° in angulation was observed between healthy and diseased condyles, with greater angulation in those eroded by JIA. Conclusion: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis not only leads to the erosion and reduction of the size of the condyles affected, but also causes a greater angulation than the corresponding healthy condyle.