title: Resting position of the head and malocclusion in a group of patients with cerebral palsy.
abstract: Cerebral palsy are found as a result of these disorders, along with associated neuromuscular functional alterations that affect the resting position of the head. In this context, the resting position of the head could be responsible for several skeletal and dental occlusal disorders among patients with cerebral palsy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the presence of malocclusions in patients with cerebral palsy, define the most frequent types of malocclusions, and evaluate how the resting position of the head may be implicated in the development of such malocclusions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four patients aged between 12-55 years (18 males and 26 females) were studied. Occlusal conditions, the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI), changes in the resting position of the head, and breathing and swallowing functions were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Orthodontic treatment was required by 70.8% of the patients, the most frequent malocclusions being molar class II, open bite and high overjet. These individuals showed altered breathing and swallowing functions, as well as habit and postural disorders. The resting position of the head, especially the hyperextended presentation, was significantly correlated to high DAI scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained suggest that patients with cerebral palsy are more susceptible to present malocclusions, particularly molar class II malocclusion, increased open bite, and high overjet. Such alterations in turn are more common in patients with a hyperextended position of the head. Key words:Cerebral palsy, malocclusion, head position, disabled patients.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Stomatology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martinez-Mihi
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Stomatology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.affiliation: Dentist of the Red Cross Clinic for Special Patients, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Lorena M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Orellana
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Stomatology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Silvestre-Rangil