Dentofacial growth in orthodontically treated and untreated children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). A comparison with Angle Class II division 1 subjects.

The changes in craniofacial growth and development of dental occlusion were studied in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA), and treatment with functional orthodontic appliances (activators) was tested in both JCA and healthy children with distal occlusion. Fifteen JCA children with Angle Class I occlusion and 15 JCA children with Angle Class II malocclusion were followed longitudinally and compared with 23 healthy children with Angle Class II malocclusion. The facial growth of the JCA children without need of orthodontic treatment mainly followed the normal pattern while the JCA children with Angle Class II malocclusion had a deviating facial morphology, which became more abnormal during growth. During the orthodontic treatment period a slight improvement was seen in mandibular positions in the sagittal and vertical planes in both treated groups, but the changes were more marked in the healthy children. None of the treated groups attained completely normal facial morphology, but in most children the occlusion improved and could be classified as normal. The morphology achieved by treatment largely remained the same during the follow-up period and relapse was seen only in a few children. JCA children with minor skeletal discrepancies can be satisfactorily treated during growth with functional orthodontic appliances, possibly in combination with fixed appliances. Even if skeletal changes in response to orthodontic treatment are rather limited, these changes combined with the improvement in dental occlusion obtained through treatment may result in better dentofacial aesthetics. Furthermore, jaw functions are likely to improve which also might benefit the patient from a psychosocial point of view.