Temporomandibular joint range of motion measurements in systemic sclerosis patients with temporomandibular dysfunction and comparison with measurements in patients with only temporomandibular dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this study was to determine the range of motion of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and to compare these data with the measurement results of patients with only TMD.

METHOD: Patients who presented to the oral and dental clinic of a university hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Seventeen SSc patients with TMD were included in the study (mean age: 42.9 ± 9.4 years; age range: 21-53). The other group consisted of twenty patients who had only a diagnosis of TMD (mean age: 40.4 ± 8.6 years; age range: 29-58).

RESULTS

We detected microstomia in 64.7% of SSc patients with TMD. In the SSc-with-TMD group, mouth opening measurements were lower compared to those with only TMD (p < .05). In the SSc-with-TMD group, left laterotrusion movement measurements were lower compared to those with only TMD (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the presence of TMD in patients with SSc and demonstrates impairments in TMJ movements.

KEY POINTS: This study highlights the presence of TMD in patients with SSc and demonstrates impairments in TMJ movements.In our study group, SSc patients with TMD had more restricted mouth opening and left laterotrusion movements compared to patients with only TMD.According to our study data, xerostomia occurs in almost half of SSc patients with TMD.