To investigate the facioskeletal morphology in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with and without temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement.
Eighty five patients were included. TMJ involvement was defined by orthopantomogram alterations. Lateral cephalograms were used to determine linear and angular measurements and occlusion.
Patients regardless of their TMJ status had a 67% chance for retrognathia and a 52% chance for posterior rotation of the mandible and, respectively, 82% and 58% if TMJ involvement were present. Changes were not uniformly distributed among the different subtypes.
Patients with JIA have an altered facial morphology, especially in the presence of TMJ involvement.