Mandibular deviations in TMD and non-TMD groups related to eye dominance and head posture

Abstract

This study was designed to determine whether eye-dominance affects head posture (rotation) and in turn, whether head posture is associated with mandibular frenum midline deviation, in both TMJ and control subjects. Eye dominance was determined using three tests:Porta, Hole, Point tests. Natural head posture was evaluated using the Arthrodial protractor. Mandibular frenum deviation was recorded as left, right or no deviation. Fifty female subjects were included in the study, 25 TMJ patients attending the Gelb Craniomandibular Pain Center and 25 non-TMJ control subjects. The findings indicate that eye dominance and direction of head rotation are strongly associated in both TMJ and control subjects. Further, in TMJ subjects mandibular deviation occurred in greater frequency than in controls and tends to occur in the contra lateral direction of head rotation.

Clinical association between teeth malocclusions, wrong posture and ocular convergence disorders: an epidemiological investigation on primary school children

“…The musculature controlling eye movement is closely connected to the stomatognathic system. Fibers emerging from the muscle spindles and palisade endings in the oculomotor muscles, especially the lateral rectus muscle, form pathways to the oculomotor nuclei and the trigeminal nucleus [11-13]. Ocular defects that can be linked to dental malocclusion are convergence defects, heterophoria, heterotrophia and esodeviations.…”

“…This study is based on three presuppositions: 1) a mandibular shift may cause a positional head adaptation [13]; 2) ocular phorias may cause a head compensation posture called ocular torticollis [14]; and 3) a head compensation posture causes body adaptation positions, to maintain a center of gravity compatible with the upright position [15]. Head positions enhance postural compensation phenomena; thereby head position is a key point in body balance.…”

Occlusion, orthodontics and posture: are there evidences? The example of scoliosis

“…They allege that there is an inter-dependence between the sensory and motor innervations of the trigeminal nerve and the cervical complex [18]; * there is a significant association between the dominant eye and homo-lateral rotation of the head. In patients suffering from discrepancies of the masticatory system there is also a significant association between the side of the cephalic rotation and a contra-lateral deviation of the mandibular incisive midline [66]; * In a study conducted by P. Gangloff of participants in riflery sports [35], the stabilization of sight was found to have an effect on postural control through mediation of the dental occlusion; * Michelotti et al [56] studied patients with posterior cross bites using a stabilometer platform and found in two modalities, occlusion at maximum inter-cuspation and a position with teeth held comfortably apart with cotton rolls. They found the cross bites had no effect on the stability of bodily posture.…”

Occlusion and posture: facts and beliefs

“…In patients suffering from discrepancies of the masticatory system there is also a significant association between the side of the cephalic rotation and a contra-lateral deviation of the mandibular incisive midline 74 ; -in a study conducted by P. Gangloff of participants in riflery sports 35 , the stabilization of sight was found to have an effect on postural control through mediation of the dental occlusion; -Michelotti et al 63 studied patients with posterior cross bites using a stabilometer platform and found in two modalities, occlusion at maximum inter-cuspation and a position with teeth held comfortably apart with cotton rolls. They found the cross bites had no effect on the stability of bodily posture.…”