Examination of the Relationship Between Mandibular Position and Body Posture

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of changing mandibular position on body posture and reciprocally, body posture on mandibular position. Forty-five (45) asymptomatic subjects (24 males and 21 females, ages 21-53 years, mean age 30.7 years) were included in this study and randomly assigned to one of two groups, based on the table of random numbers. The only difference between group I and group II was the sequence of the testing. The MatScan (Tekscan, Inc., South Boston, MA) system was used to measure the result of changes in body posture (center of foot pressure: COP) while subjects maintained the following 5 mandibular positions: (1) rest position, (2) centric occlusion, (3) clinically midlined jaw position with the labial frena aligned, (4) a placebo wax appliance, worn around the labial surfaces of the teeth and (5) right eccentric mandibular position. The T-Scan II (Tekscan, Inc., South Boston, MA) system was used to analyze occlusal force distribution in two postural positions, with and without a heel lift under the right foot. Total trajectory length of COP in centric occlusion was shorter than in the rest position (p < 0.05). COP area in right eccentric mandibular position was larger than in centric occlusion (p < 0.05). When subjects used a heel lift under the right foot, occlusal forces shifted to the right side compared to no heel lift (p < 0.01). Based on these findings, it was concluded that changing mandibular position affected body posture. Conversely, changing body posture affected mandibular position.

Intersession reliability of a posturo-stabilometric test, using a force platform

“…These associations are the subject of an ongoing discussion as evidence has been published both in support of their existence (Bracco et al, 2004;Manfredini et al, 2012;Sakaguchi et al, 2007) and in disagreement with it (Michelotti et al, 2006;Perinetti, 2006). Moreover some criticism was made against the use of stabilometric platform as a trustworthy instrument.…”

The Effect of Teeth Clenching on Dynamic Balance at Jump-Landing: A Pilot Study

“…There were also several reports that confirmed the oral motor activity relations on postural control, [10][11][12][13][14][15] revealing the superior effect of teeth clenching on body balance control against body sway. However, these pieces of research were subjected to static balance, and there were few reports that investigated the effect of teeth clenching on dynamic balance.…”

Selection of test bites records as part of a forensic bite mark analysis protocol

“…The usual technique for obtaining test bites is to take a record with the patient's mouth passively closed based on centric relation (CR) (maximal intercuspation); this is performed on the assumption that the subject has a normal baseline psychoneuromuscular control, therefore, reproducible in time (ie, without habitual or conscious posturing) (Agbaje et al 2013). However, number of residual teeth, occlusal support, maximum bite force, periodontal disease, difference in mandibular movement during mastication, changes in body posture, and even substrate consistency have all been described as factors that can affect neuromuscular control of chewing, muscle activity, masticatory performance (van der Bilt 2011; Kosaka et al 2016;Sakaguchi et al 2007) and, therefore, the final representation of the bite action: the bite mark.…”