Effects of different jaw relations on postural stability in human subjects

Neurosci Lett. 2004 Feb 19;356(3):228-30. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2003.11.055.

Abstract

Authors investigated the effects of different jaws relations on body posture in a sample of 95 subjects. All subjects underwent a posturometric and stabilometric analysis using a computerized footboard. Tests were performed in three mandibular positions: centric occlusion, rest position and myocentric position, respectively determined by teeth engagement, joints position, and muscles contraction. All subjects showed variations of body posture in the different mandibular positions. Statistical analysis (analysis of variance for repeated measures) confirmed that postural variations in different jaws relations were significant: in particular, the SKN multiple comparison test showed that myocentric position improved postural balance on frontal plane with respect to the other jaw positions considered.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Humans
  • Jaw / physiology*
  • Jaw Relation Record*
  • Joints / physiology
  • Masticatory Muscles / physiology
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology
  • Posture / physiology*
  • Rest / physiology
  • Tooth / physiology