title: Effects of neuromuscular deprogramming on the head position.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the neuromuscular deprogramming of the mandible on the craniocervical position.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n=65) were separated into two groups: 25 untreated controls (10 men and 15 women) and 40 patients (17 men and 23 women) and underwent neuromuscular deprogramming with upper occlusal splints for an average of 6 months and 7 days, before orthodontic treatment. Lateral cephalograms were obtained from each subject in the natural head position (NHP), before and after neuromuscular deprogramming. Craniocervical cephalometric analysis was performed to evaluate craniovertical (NSL/VER), craniocervical (OPT/NSL and CVT/NSL), and cervicohorizontal (OPT/HOR and CVT/HOR) angulation, and the angle of the cervical curvature (OPT/CVT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After neuromuscular deprogramming, significant changes in three angles--NSL/VER (P<0.001), OPT/NSL (P<0.001) and CVT/NSL (P<0.001)--were found between the two groups. For the cervical spine position, no significant changes were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that neuromuscular deprogramming using occlusal splint causes significant extension of the head.
authors: Augusto Ricardo
authors: AR
authors: Andrighetto
authors: Solange Mongelli
authors: SM
authors: de Fantini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Craniocervical position,; Head position,; Neuromuscular deprogramming,; Orthodontics; Splint,