The Role of Dental Occlusion and Neuromuscular Behavior in Professional Ballet Dancers' Performance: A Pilot Study.

Henri Didier,Fausto Assandri,Carlo Maiorana,Davide Cavagnetto,Andrea Abate,Michele Villanova,Francesca Gaffuri

doi:10.3390/healthcare9030251

Henri Didier, Fausto Assandri + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9030251

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Abstract

Clinical practice and some scientific evidence seem to suggest that there is some kind of relationship between the components that form the postural chain. For professional dancers, good posture and balance are essential. The aim of the present retrospective study is to evaluate whether gnathological treatment could have an impact on the postural balance and sports performance of professional ballet dancers. Electromyographic (EMG) data and balance tests were recorded before and after six months of treatment with a customized occlusal splint. Twenty athletes were examined during ballet exercises in terms of balance and speed of execution by two experienced clinicians. The results showed statistically significant changes for all EMG tests carried out and the Flamingo Balance Test. It appears that the use of a customized occlusal device improved neuro-muscular coordination and the overall performance of dancers.

Highlights

Many researchers have suggested a relationship between the stomatognathic system and body muscles located far away from the mouth [1,2,3]
Atypical swallowing was found in six athletes, and a mandibular retrusion of 0.3–3.7 mm was corrected with the application of the gnathological splint for all the dancers that participated in our study
Three dancers revealed no changes in asymmetry of muscular activation

Summary

Introduction

Many researchers have suggested a relationship between the stomatognathic system and body muscles located far away from the mouth [1,2,3]. A recent literature evaluation taking into consideration the connection between occlusion, TMJ, and sport performance presented a few articles on this topic, but that had a limited reliability, as they were not randomized clinical trials or meta-analyses [8,9]. Some of the latest research has found muscular and postural modifications by means of kinesiology analysis, but it did not take into consideration reliable tests such as the Messerman or stomatognathic reset tests [10]. Competitive athletes exercise at the highest levels of their physical limits, stressing their body more extensively and rapidly, permitting better and complete investigations of the probable reciprocal influences of these correlations [16]

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