The aim of this study was to evaluate the dentoskeletal relationships in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) compared to healthy children without significant differences in relation to age and sex, by means of lateral cephalometric radiographs. Cephalometric, as well as dental panoramic radiographs were taken of 66 JIA children (27 males and 39 females; age range: 6-19 years; mean age: 11.9 years). The control group consisted of 37 healthy children unaffected by JIA seeking orthodontic treatment, with Class I occlusion (17 males and 20 females; age range: 7.5-17 years; mean age: 11.9 years). All cephalometric landmarks were identified and digitized, and calculations were performed by means of a computerized cephalometric system. The cephalometric findings indicated a tendency towards retrognathism with a short mandible. The lower facial height was increased and the growth pattern of the face was biased towards the vertical direction (clockwise, i.e. with a tendency to open bite) and the interincisal angle was less in the JIA children compared to the healthy children. These findings were in general more pronounced by the JIA children with polyarticular type of the disease as well as with affected condyles. Our study indicated that the dentoskeletal morphology in children with JIA presented some special characteristics when compared to healthy children, which could be attributed to the effects of the disease.

Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis presented a remarkable prevalence of condylar destruction, which was correlated to the type and duration of the disease.

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