Abstract
BackgroundPosture is influenced by many factors and dental occlusion seems to have its role on postural stabilization. Our rationale to perform the study was to find out if there are differences of static plantar pressure and stabilometric parameters depending on different dental conditions.MethodsThe observational study consisted in plantar pressure assessment and stabilometric analysis of 95 right-handed healthy volunteer subjects (mean age 22.94 ± 2.52 years) by using the PoData system. Each subject followed four measurements with open eyes: mandibular postural position, maximum intercuspation, biting on cotton rolls and maximum mouth opening. Plantar pressure was recorded on 1st and 5th metatarsal heads and heel, and was expressed as percentage of weight distribution on each foot. The recorded centre of pressure (CoP) parameters were: CoP path length, 90%confidence ellipse area and maximum CoP speed. Statistical analysis used repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni posthoc analysis and Friedman test.ResultsLoading on the left 5th metatarsal head was significantly higher in maximum mouth opening condition when compared to maximum intercuspation and to biting on cotton rolls. The left heel loading was significantly lower in the maximum mouth opening in comparison to maximum intercuspation. The CoP path length and maximum CoP speed were significantly higher in maximum mouth opening compared to the other three conditions. Confidence ellipse area had significantly lower values in maximum intercuspation and in the biting on cotton rolls conditions compared to the mandibular postural position, and in maximum intercuspation compared to maximum mouth opening.ConclusionIn young adults with an optimum functional occlusion the static plantar pressure is influenced by the maximum mouth opening. An improved postural stability was recorded in maximum intercuspation (a condition used during swallowing) in comparison to mandibular postural position (a condition that allows relaxation of the masticatory muscles after functional moments).
Highlights
The posture is influenced by many factors, while dental occlusion seems to have its role on postural stabilization [1]
Static plantar pressure and stabilometry cotton rolls conditions compared to the mandibular postural position, and in maximum intercuspation compared to maximum mouth opening
When recording the 90% confidence ellipse area we noticed that it had significantly lower values in maximum intercuspation and in the biting on cotton rolls conditions compared to the mandibular postural position (p
Summary
The posture is influenced by many factors, while dental occlusion seems to have its role on postural stabilization [1]. Many reviews have analysed the influence of dental occlusion on body balance, focusing on the neuroanatomical interconnections between the trigeminal and vestibular nuclei, and on the muscular interconnections implying influences between the masticatory and the postural muscles. Moon and Lee showed that dental occlusion influences body-stabilizing activities such as body equilibrium and gravity fluctuation [2]. The review of Cuccia and Caradonna suggested that there are correlations between posture and the stomatognathic system [3]. A more recent study (2013) demonstrated a weak correlation between mandibular position and body posture in healthy subjects [5]. Posture is influenced by many factors and dental occlusion seems to have its role on postural stabilization. Our rationale to perform the study was to find out if there are differences of static plantar pressure and stabilometric parameters depending on different dental conditions
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