Rheumatoid arthritis of the temporomandibular joints.

Although temporomandibular-joint involvement by rheumatoid arthritis is well recognized, its incidence is unknown. Russel and Bayles (1941) estimated that the temporomandibular joints became involved in 50 per cent. of patients, Ragan (1949) 4 7 per cent., Markowitz and Gerry (1950) 8 *7 per cent., and Einaudi and Viara (1964) 29 3 per cent in 260 rheumatoid arthritics. These variations may be explained by the use of different diagnostic criteria and different populations. The present study describes two patients in whom temporomandibular-joint arthritis is a prominent feature, and our attempts to treat them in a rational manner based upon an understanding of the mechanics of the temporomandibular joints.