The Relationship among Mandibular Position, Cervical Vertebra Alignment, and Body Posture in Temporomandibular Disorder Patients

• Published in: Nihon Hotetsu Shika Gakkai Zasshi Vol. 46; no. 3; pp. 324 - 331
• Main Authors: Omotani, Naoko, Takashima, Fumio, Kajiwara, Kyohei, Nakamura, Takashi, Morishige, Emiko, Ishigaki, Shoichi, Miyagi, Masahiro, Kurozumi, Takuma
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan Prosthodontic Society 2002
• Subjects: body posture; cervical vertebra; mandibular position; temporomandibular disorders
• ISSN: 0389-5386; 1883-177X; 1883-177X
• DOI: 10.2186/jjps.46.324

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among the position of the mandible, cervical vertebra alignment, and body posture in temporomandibular disorders patients. Materials and Methods: Subjects consisted of 10 patients with temporomandibular disorders (eight females and two males; average age, 36.4 years old). The position of the mandible and the inclination of cervical vertebrae (C2, C4) were analyzed with lateral cephaolograms, and the body posture was analyzed with side-view photographs. The relationship among the position of the mandible, cervical vertebra alignment, and body posture was examined by means of correlation coefficient and principal component analysis. Results: 1. The angle of the SN plane to the mandibular plane showed a positive correlation with the inclination of C2, and a negative correlation with the angle of C2 to C4 (p<0.05). 2. The head posture showed a negative correlation with both ANB angle and the inclination of C2 (p<0.05). 3. Subjects were classified into two groups according to the position of the mandible by means of principal component analysis. 4. The subjects who demonstrated a retro-and inferior-mandibular position showed a forwarded inclination of C2 and C4 and straight alignment of C2 to C4. Conclusion: It was suggested that the relationship between the mandibular position and the body posture was intervened by the alignment of cervical vertebrae.