Relationship between dental occlusion and posture

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to show the effects of dental occlusion on postural position. Thirty subjects were divided into two groups: an experimental group who wore mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliances (MORA) and a control group who wore no oral device. All of the subjects underwent the same Fukuda-Unterberger experimental stepping test to check their postural attitude. Any deviation of the subject during the test from his initial position was analyzed. The results seemed to confirm that altering dental occlusion by wearing an oral appliance could induce some fluctuations in dynamic postural attitude. The phenomenon occurs after prolonged wearing of a MORA. Feedback effects are gradual after removing the mandibular splint.