title: Management of temporomandibular joint arthritis-related orofacial symptoms in juvenile idiopathic arthritis by the use of a stabilization splint.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Section of Orthodontics, Aarhus University , Aarhus , Denmark.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stoustrup
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Küseler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verna
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Herlin
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019468:Disease Management; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059408:Pain Management; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013165:Splints; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000502:physiology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult