Section of Orthodontics, Aarhus University , Aarhus , Denmark.
Scand J Rheumatol. 2014;43(2):137-45. doi: 10.3109/03009742.2013.830146. Epub 2013 Dec 19.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) may interfere with optimal joint and muscle function. Orofacial symptoms are common findings in relation to TMJ arthritis. Previous research on management of TMJ arthritis-related orofacial symptoms in patients with JIA has focused on pharmacological treatment modalities without involving physical pain management strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in orofacial pain and TMJ function after stabilization splint treatment.
Twenty-eight consecutive patients with JIA and arthritis-related orofacial symptoms (mean age 15.5 years, range 8.2-25 years) were included in this prospective observational study. All patients received stabilization splint treatment. A comparable group of 110 healthy children served as controls for the assessments of TMJ mobility.
After splint treatment for 8 weeks, a significant reduction in orofacial pain frequency and intensity was reported, and significant improvement in TMJ function was observed. However, TMJ mobility at follow-up remained significantly reduced when compared to the control group.
The stabilization splint is a safe, reversible, low-cost treatment, and familiar to most dental practitioners. Based on our findings, we propose the implementation of stabilization splint therapy for the treatment of JIA patients with TMJ arthritis-related symptoms.
青少年特发性关节炎（JIA）患者的颞下颌关节（TMJ）炎症可能会影响关节和肌肉的最佳功能。TMJ 关节炎常伴有口颌系统症状。以前关于 JIA 患者 TMJ 关节炎相关口颌系统症状管理的研究主要集中在药物治疗方式上，而没有涉及物理疼痛管理策略。本研究旨在评估稳定夹板治疗后口颌疼痛和 TMJ 功能的变化。
本前瞻性观察研究纳入了 28 例 JIA 伴关节炎相关口颌系统症状的连续患者（平均年龄 15.5 岁，范围 8.2-25 岁）。所有患者均接受稳定夹板治疗。110 名健康儿童作为对照组，评估 TMJ 活动度。
夹板治疗 8 周后，口颌疼痛频率和强度明显降低，TMJ 功能明显改善。然而，与对照组相比，随访时 TMJ 活动度仍明显降低。
稳定夹板是一种安全、可逆、低成本的治疗方法，大多数牙医都很熟悉。基于我们的发现，我们建议对 JIA 伴 TMJ 关节炎相关症状的患者实施稳定夹板治疗。
