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RGO.Revista Gaúcha de Odontologia (Online)

On-line version ISSN 1981-8637

Abstract

VASCONCELOS, Belmiro Cavalcanti do Egito; NOGUEIRA, Ricardo Viana Bessa; CARVALHO, Ricardo Wathson Feitosa  and  ANTUNES, Antonio Azoubel. Temporomandibular ankylosis: a rare manifestation of ankylosing spondylitis. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.59, n.3, pp. 503-5508. ISSN 1981-8637.

Ankylosing spondylitis is considered to be a chronic condition from the group of systemic inflammatory diseases of rheumatic pattern. It affects connective tissues and particularly the axial skeleton, but it is unusual for it to develop in peripheral joints. It poses limitations to the patients' daily life because of restrictions to motor activity caused by rigidity, thus compromising their emotional condition and quality of life. Although complaints about symptoms in the temporomandibular joint are not frequent, in some cases the involvement of this joint may lead to severe symptoms. Episodes of frequent, long-lasting headaches and maxillary pain when patients open their mouths fully are the most frequent symptoms of temporomandibular involvement. At the onset of the disease, symptoms are usually unilateral and intermittent. As the disease progresses, symptoms may become more severe, possibly leading to the rare occurrence of temporomandibular ankylosis. The first clinical sign of temporomandibular ankylosis is limited jaw movement. An early diagnosis of the involvement of this joint is essential so that an early approach can be made. The purpose of this paper is to report a rare case of ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint, secondary to ankylosing spondylitits, and to discuss its clinical and therapeutic aspects.

Keywords : Ankylosis Rheumatic diseases.; Spondylitis ankylosing.; Temporomandibular joint disorders..

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