Rheumatoid diseases and the temporomandibular joint: a review

Rheumatic diseases cause patients to seek care for musculoskeletal pain or dysfunction, as well as other problems. Rheumatic diseases are musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders demonstrating chronicity, variability, and periods of exacerbation and remission. Practitioners must be aware of the features of many of these diseases and be able to address patients' concerns, especially as they relate to the temporomandibular joint, temporomandibular dysfunction, and/or myofascial pain. Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are sufficiently common to necessitate the dental practitioner having a working knowledge of both of these diseases. This paper presents the salient points of the general pathology of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus and specifics of temporomandibular involvement in rheumatoid arthritis.