Temporomandibular Joint Abnormalities in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Transantral (infraorbital, transmaxillary) examination of the temporomandibular joint was compared to conventional transcranial examination and lateral tomography of patients with rheumatoid arthritis aged 23-83 yr. Abnormalities were most frequently found at tomography and were equally frequent at transantral and transcranial examinations. The various examinations appeared to be rather supplementary. Bone erosion was frequently observed at transantral examination, which appeared to be the preferable radiographic method for detecting arthritis of this joint. Combined with transcranial examination, the method is recommended for the evaluation of temporomandibular joint abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis if tomographic equipment is not available.