Temporomandibular disorders and dental occlusion in the light of modern posturology

Abstract

Introduction: posturoloy is a health sciences speciality that studies de postural tonic system of the human being and it has been described in close relation with dental occlusion and temporomandibular disorders. Objectives: to identify the background of modern posturology and the determining factors of the postural balance of the body, as well as the association among postural, occlusal variables and the temporomandibular disorders. Methods: a literature review was made. Printed and digital literature gathered from texts and journals published from 1995 to date and available in the PubMed, Lilacs and Google databases was used. Results: most of researchers suggest that there is some kind of correlation among occlusion, signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders, cranial-facial dimensions and postural alterations. Conclusions: the studies related with the topic have generally been performed with a small group of subjects or poor methodology, so their results are not conclusive. Keywords: temporomandibular disorders, dental occlusion, body posture.