Clinical findings in the stomatognathic system for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthrosis

A group of 123 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA group) and 28 individuals with osteoarthrosis (OA group) were compared with 52 individuals without general joint symptoms (C group). The individuals in the RA and OA groups constituted 35% and 14%, respectively, of all individuals with RA and OA at the Rheumatism Hospital in Strängnäs, Sweden, during the period of investigation. All individuals answered a questionnaire concerning subjective symptoms from the stomatognathic system and general joint symptoms and were given a clinical examination comprising the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, mandibular mobility, and occlusion. Most signs of disorder in the stomatognathic system were more frequent and more severe in the RA and OA groups than in the C group. The clinical signs were of a similar character in the RA and OA groups, but the individuals in the RA and OA groups had less occlusal support, more occlusal interferences, greater distance between RP and IP, and less vertical overbite than the C group. Anterior open bite was found with higher frequency and severity in the RA and OA groups than in the C group and was correlated to clinical dysfunction score and reduced maximum mouth opening capacity.