Investigation of temporomandibular joint by clinical findings and dental volumetric tomography method in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the temporomandibular joint by clinical and dental volumetric tomography findings in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and control group, comparatively. Material and Method: Individuals with 50 rheumatic diseases and 50 control groups were included in the study. Subjective symptoms with clinical history, objective symptoms with clinical examination, changes in temporomandibular joint and temporomandibular joint movement with radiographic findings and dental volumetric tomography examinations were assessed. Results: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, subjective symptoms were found to be higher than the control group except for ankylosing spondylitis patients. Objective symptoms, such as deviation, crepitation, pain in palpation of temporomandibular joints and chewing muscles were found higher than the control group except for ankylosing spondylitis patients. In the patient group, dental volumetric tomography findings such as sclerosis, erosion, subchondral cyst in the condyle head, flattening and sclerosis in the articular eminence were found higher than the control group. Conclusion: In the routine examination of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and systemic lupus erythematosus, temporomandibular joint involvement should not be overlooked. These patients, who have obvious complaints in temporomandibular joints and chewing muscles, are closely following rheumatologists during their illness but do not consult dentists regarding temporomandibular joint complaints. It is thought that consideration of temporomandibular joint involvement findings may facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders.