الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 32 |  |  |
| | | from | 32 | | |
Abstract
The Temporomandibular Joint is a unique joint in the human body because it is actually a pair of hanging hinges that suspend the lower jaw, or mandible, and enable daily crucial tasks such as eating and speech. When one side experiences pathology, the other side is also affected because motion of the lower jaw requires both TMJ joints to simultaneously operate. The TMJ participates in forceful activities such as chewing and biting, as well as finesse activities such as speech and swallowing that require fine control.
A temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a collective term embracing a number of clinical problems that involve the masticatory musculature, TMJ, and associated structures, or both. According to the American Dental Association, prevalence of TMD in non-patient populations around the world has been found to be in the range of 75% for having at least one sign of TMD and 33% for having at least one symptom of TMD. Because of the widespread nature of TMD and the need for establishing more uniform principles in examination, diagnosis and treatment, this study have to recommend that a TMD screening history and examination should be included as an integral part of the routine dental examination. One problem encountered with TMD screening forms was to have a form that was simple to use by the patient and be easy for a dentist to interpret the findings.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by persistent joint synovial tissue inflammation. Joint damage in RA begins with the proliferation of synovial macrophages and fibroblasts after a triggering incident, possibly autoimmune or infectious. Over time, bone erosion and irreversible joint damage can occur, leading to permanent disability. Although most readily recognized by its articular manifestations, multiple organ systems may be affected and may result in shortened life expectancy, with increased deaths due to cardiovascular disease, infection, and cancer. Systemic features may be associated with a poor prognosis, especially vasculitis, amyloidosis and pulmonary fibrosis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease and may last a lifetime. Patients often experience periods of remission when the disease subsides. Remissions can last for short periods of time or for several years. Some patients, especially in the older age group, will have a positive blood test without having RA. The typical case of RA begins insidiously, with the slow development of signs and symptoms over weeks to months. Stiffness, usually accompanied by pain on movement and by tenderness in the joint, is usually the first symptom. Several joints are usually affected at the onset, typically in a symmetrical fashion. Occasionally, patients experience an explosive polyarticular onset occurring over 24–48 hours as RA usually becomes polyarticular, involving five or more joints.