Dentistry

Abstract

Dento-alveolar Changes And Need Of Orthodontic Treatment In JIA Patients Followed From Childhood To Adulthood

Fjeld MG, Birkeland K, Arvidsson LZ, Stabrun AE, Larheim TA and Øgaard B

Objectives: To determine the occlusal traits and the objective orthodontic treatment need in a group of JIA children, with and without radiographic TMJ involvement, and compare with the objective orthodontic treatment need in adulthood.
Methods: Fifty-three JIA children (mean age 11.2 years) were studied; 30 had radiographic TMJ involvement (TMJ+ group) and 23 had no involvement (TMJ- group). Measurements were performed on dental study casts using the Need of Orthodontic Treatment Index, with 106 gender and age matched controls. Of the 53 JIA patients, 41 had available dental study casts in adulthood that were compared to childhood study casts.
Results: In childhood, TMJ+ subjects had an overjet ≥9 mm more frequently than controls (p<0.037). More TMJ+ subjects were categorized with “great treatment need” than controls, 23.5% versus 9.5% (p<0.042), respectively. As adults, 34% had a history of orthodontic treatment; 7.3% with orthognathic surgery. Only 5% could be categorized with “great treatment need” compared to 24% in childhood (p = 0.012).
Conclusions: JIA children with TMJ involvement were more susceptible to a large overjet, leading to "great treatment need" more frequently than controls. In adulthood the occlusion had improved due to orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery and probably, due to craniofacial growth and development. In growing JIA patients it is important to monitor the occlusal development.