Relationship between back posture and early orthodontic treatment in children

Association between constitution, axiography, orthodontic cast analysis, and upper body posture in women aged 31 to 40 years

OBJECTIVE

Whether it is primarily the spine that reacts with pain to the negative consequences of everyday stress and possibly the temporomandibular system as a result (ascending chain), or whether incorrect stress in the dental area has an influence on body geometry (descending chain), is still a controversially discussed topic. The aim of this study is to investigate possible relationships between constitutional, axiographic, and dental parameters with upper body posture.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 106 subjectively healthy women between 31 and 40 years of age voluntarily participated in this study. Data collection was done by filling out a questionnaire with constitutional and anamnestic parameters and by evaluating orthodontic casts, axiographic measurements, and video raster stereographic measurements. These data were analyzed using correlations and group comparisons, with the significance level set at p ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

Positive correlations were shown between the constitutional factors of body weight and BMI and the lumbar bending angle (p = 0.01), the kyphosis angle (p = 0.001), and lordosis angle (weight p = 0.05; BMI p = 0.03). In the cast analysis, regardless of the direction of the midline shift (left/right/none), a left lateral tilt can be seen which is greatest at 2.12° with a left midline shift. In addition, the elevated pelvic side correlates with the side of the displacement of the jaw, with the stronger manifestation being on the left side. With a vertical anterior bite in the normal range, the kyphosis angle is 48.09°, while with a deep bite, it is 60.92°, and with an open bite, it is 62.47°; thus, the group in the normal range differs significantly (p = 0.01) from the other two. The greater the protrusion, the smaller the sagittal plane angles (kyphosis angle, lumbar bending angle, each p = 0.03), and the more dorsal the posture (p = 0.04). The lordosis angle differs significantly (p = 0.001) between the group of subjects with a protrusion in the normal range (52.34°) and the group with an increased advancement of the mandible (41.79°).

CONCLUSION

There is a correlation between body weight, BMI, midline shift, and protrusion, as well as the vertical anterior step and upper body posture in women between 31 and 40 years of age. Interdisciplinary functional examinations of the temporomandibular musculature, and also sustained orthodontic treatment, can contribute to an improvement in upper body posture.

Orthodontic treatment of children with anterior open bite and posterior crossbite: An analysis of the stomatognathic system

Dental malocclusions are deviations from normalities due to the inadequate growth and development of the dental arch which provides functional changes to the stomatognathic system. The aim of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the electromyographic activity (EMG) the masseter and temporalis muscles, strength of the orofacial tissues and occlusal force of children with anterior open bite (n = 15) and posterior crossbite (n = 20), 7 days after the removal of the orthodontic apparatus. A fixed horizontal palatal crib was used in the treatment of anterior open bite and the fixed appliances Hyrax or MacNamara was used in the treatment of posterior crossbite. EMG of the masticatory muscles was recorded using an electromyograph with wireless sensors during mandibular tasks. Habitual chewing was assessed using the integral of the linear envelope of the electromyographic signal in the masticatory cycles. The strength of the tongue and facial muscles was measured using the Iowa Oral Pressure Instrument. T-Scan was used to analyze the force of occlusal contact. Molar bite force was measured by digital dynamometer. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the EMG data of the masseter and temporalis muscles in the static and dynamic mandibular tasks. There were no significant difference in strength of orofacial tissues, occlusal contact force and molar bite force 7 days after the removal of the orthodontic apparatus. The results of this study suggest that the orthodontic treatment of anterior open bite and posterior crossbite in children promoted functional alteration in the electromyographic activity of masseter and temporalis muscles.

Influence of dental occlusion on oculomotory function-A pilot study

The aim of this study was to examine the interaction between the oculomotory system and the stomatognathic system based on morphofunctional relationships between the corresponding cranial nerves, their core areas and the reticular formation as a "link" by means of optometric examinations. Test subjects (N = 100) were prospectively recruited and divided into two groups: a young-age (N = 53, age 6-16 years) and old-age group (N = 47, 23-78 years). We determined the horizontal range of convergence and divergence as well as the near convergence point. These optometrically measured parameters were recorded in both groups in the resting position, at maximal mouth opening and with bite-blocking via tin foils (0.5 mm and 1 mm), which were inserted occlusally of the first lower left molar. All oculomotory parameters were significantly altered by bite manipulation and maximal mouth opening. These effects could be observed regardless of age and gender and thus suggest an interaction between eye movement and the orofacial complex. Subjects with asthenopic symptoms showed no different reactions compared to healthy subjects. For a final statement on the correlation between the oculomotory and stomatognathic system, further investigations are necessary. An interdisciplinary cooperation between the different subject areas is recommended for further studies.