Dentofacial dysmorphoses : distant links with musculo-skeletal system and posture

Abstract

According to several theories, the oro-facial sphere would be interconnected with the rest of the body justifying the requests for care to improve a body zone at a distance. The aim of this literature review was to look for potential distant links of dysmorphoses of the three dimensions of space according to the etiopathogenic theories and the data of science. We carried out a keyword search leading to 58 references. In the transverse dimension, the transverse maxillary hypoplasia and dissymmetry of the molar class of the transverse dimension would not induce a change in the distribution of the weight of the body on a stabilometric platform. In the vertical dimension, hyperdivergent patients have a decreased bite force, cephalic extension with respect to the spine, an extension of the base of the skull, and decreased cervical lordosis. In the anteroposterior dimension, skeletal classesII would be associated with increased cervical lordosis and posterior cephalic extension according to the «true vertical» (inversely for classes III). The prevalence of dental classes II would be increased in scoliosis subjects. Studies with a low level of evidence (grade III, IV or even V) should be interpreted with caution because the simultaneous presence of concomitant anomalies does not allow us to conclude that there is a cause-and-effect relationship.