Dental occlusion in interaction with the body posture

Abstract

Introduction: in recent decades, it has been suggested that alterations in the Stomatognathic System as malocclusions can completely influence body posture. Objective: This paper aims to identify various occlusal variables by the interaction with body posture. Methods: an observational descriptive study was conducted from February 2011 to March 2012 in which a sample of 122 students was selected from the 3rd. year at the Faculty of Dentistry in Havana, Cuba. These subjects did not have absent teeth for any other reasons than the orthodontic treatment. Dental occlusion was examined and subsequently postural examination was performed. Results: patients with type C position, that is, the posterior-rised scapular plane and forward head had lower mean values of overjet and interocclusal space but the highest overbite (2.86, 3.33, 3.40 mm respectively). 40 % of patients had Type B. Lateral occlusal interferences were higher in 66 students with unbalance right shoulder and pelvis. Conclusions: students with Type C posture showed the lowest mean values of overjet and interocclusal space; and those who had type E posture had the higher overbite. Subjects with Type B posture and neutroclusion prevailed. More than half of the subjects with crossbite had unbalance of right pelvis.

Keywords

• oclusión dentaria
• postura corporal
• interferencias oclusales.