Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis is known to alter the mandibular development in children diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In a number of cases a genuine breakdown of cartilage and bone is seen in the affected joint which leads to asymmetric mandibular growth in the affected side. In cases of unilateral TMJ involvements severe mandibular asymmetric mandibular growth deviations are seen. We hypothesize that these growth deviations can be minimized and controlled by the use functional orthodontic appliance therapy.
This is a retrospective study design with the aim to evaluate the clinical procedures we have used the last 15 years to treat JIA patients with unilateral TMJ arthritis. More specifically, the purpose is to evaluate the mandibular growth in all JIA patients with unilateral TMJ arthritis and an asymmetric mandibular growth pattern treated with non-surgical distraction splint therapy between 1994 and 2010 at the dep. of Orthodontics, Aarhus University, Denmark. The evaluation is based on radiological examinations at the beginning of their non-surgical distraction treatment as well as after the patients have finished their distraction-splint therapy.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
22
After the diagnosis of unilateral TMJ arthritis with clinical asymmetric mandibular growth deviations the JIA patients are offered treatment with a distraction splint. The appliance consists of an acrylic splint (distraction splint) covering the occlusal surfaces of the teeth in the upper or lower dental arch. The height of the splint is thereafter gradually increased every 6th to 10th weeks in order to optimize the mandible growth in the affected side and thereby reduce the overall asymmetric mandibular growth pattern(non-surgical distraction of the TMJ and mandibular condyle).
Dep. of Orthodontics, Aarhus University
Aarhus, Denmark
Mandibular growth in children with unilateral TMJ arthritis treated with an acrylic distraction splint
The craniofacial dimensions are measured radiologically prior to the start of the treatment with the distraction splint. Second measurements of the craniofacial dimensions are evaluated after the patients have ended the treatment with the distraction splint. In that way we are able to evaluate the craniofacial growth in the affected side compared to the craniofacial growth in the "healthy" side in JIA patients with unilateral TMJ arthritis. The succces of the distraction splint treatment is decided based the splints ability to normalize the craniofacial growth in the affacted side.
Time frame: average treatment with splint is 6.4 years
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