Investigation of Temporomandibular Joint by Clinical Findings and Dental Volumetric Tomography Method in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) with those of a control group. Abstract Keywords: Temporomandibular Joint; Tomography; Rheumatic Diseases Material and Method: Individuals with 44 rheumatic diseases and 50 control groups were included in the study. Subjective and objective symptoms, CBCT findings related to temporomandibular joints of these individuals were evaluated. Results: In patients with RA and SLE, subjective symptoms were found to be higher than the control group. Objective symptoms, such as deviation, crepitation, pain in palpation of temporomandibular joints and chewing muscles were found higher than the control group. In the patient group, CBCT findings such as sclerosis, erosion, subchondral cyst in the condylar head, flattening and sclerosis in the articular eminence were found higher than the control group. Conclusion: Routine examinations of patients with RA and SLE should include an assessment of TMJ involvement. Findings of TMJ involvement in these patients can facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders.