Rohit Shishodia
Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder, is known to cause several other issues such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid nodules, dry eyes and mouth infections. However, it can also impact the jaw joint to such an extent that it has to be replaced. This has been found by doctors in Delhi-AIIMS when they treated patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A 3D technology enabled patient specific jaw joint replacement has benefited many patients at the Centre of Dental and Education Research, Delhi-AIIMS. The treatment, which costs around Rupees one lakh, is covered under the Rashtriya Aarogya Nidhi, union health ministry’s national healthcare scheme meant for poor patients.

Speaking to the media on the occasion of a three-day workshop on Total Temporomandibular Joint Replacement (artificial jaw joint) Workshop-2020, Dr Ajoy Roy Choudhary, HOD, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Delhi-AIIMS, said “Jaw injuries in childhood go unnoticed. Children with jaw injury develop a bone in the jaw, and when the bone gets bigger, the patient cannot open his mouth, and is not able to chew and eat food. He will be dependent  on intake of liquid diet. He will have breathing problem and also problem in talking. This problem can also cause sleep apnea.”

“Earlier, in such cases, we used to cut that bone and remove it from the jaw. This relieved the patient and he used to open his mouth, but he lacked chewing efficiency and facial profile. Such people lack confidence in parties due to deformed jaw-joint,” said Dr Choudhary.

“Now we have cutting-edge technology in which we remove the jaw joint and develop a jaw joint made up of biocompatible plastic material and titanium by using 3D printing technology. This new jaw joint is inserted in the mouth of the affected person through surgery. This helps the person in easy breathing and smooth chewing. He gets social acceptability,” explained Dr Choudhary.

Dr Choudhary pointed out that apart from jaw injury, people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, or those whose joints get affected due to inflammatory diseases, develop this jaw joint problem. They are also candidates for jaw joint replacements. Their pain is reduced. However, their numbers are not much. With increasing awareness, their numbers will increase,” he added.