title: Influence of dental occlusion on postural control and plantar pressure distribution.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The number of studies investigating correlations between the temporomandibular system and body posture, postural control or plantar pressure distribution is continuously increasing. If a connection can be found, it is often of minor influence or for only a single parameter. However, small subject groups are critical. This study was conducted to define correlations between dental parameters, postural control and plantar pressure distribution in healthy males.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 87 male subjects with an average age of 25.23 ± 3.5 years (ranging from 18 to 35 years) were examined. Dental casts of the subjects were analyzed. Postural control and plantar pressure distribution were recorded by a force platform. Possible orthodontic and orthopedic factors of influence were determined by either an anamnesis or a questionnaire. All tests performed were randomized and repeated three times each for intercuspal position (ICP) and blocked occlusion (BO). For a statistical analysis of the results, non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon-Matched-Pairs-Test, Kruskall-Wallis-Test) were used. A revision of the results via Bonferroni-Holm correction was considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ICP increases body sway in the frontal (p ≤ 0.01) and sagittal planes (p ≤ 0.03) compared to BO, whereas all other 29 correlations were independent of the occlusion position. For both of the ICP or BO cases, Angle-class, midline-displacement, crossbite, or orthodontic therapy were found to have no influence on postural control or plantar pressure distribution (p > 0.05). However, the contact time of the left foot decreased (p ≤ 0.001) while detecting the plantar pressure distribution in each position.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Persistent dental parameters have no effect on postural sway. In addition, postural control and plantar pressure distribution have been found to be independent postural criteria.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Prosthodontics , School of Dentistry, "Carolinum", Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main , Frankfurt/Main , Germany.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Scharnweber
authors.affiliation: b Department of Orthodontics , School of Dentistry, Goethe-University , Frankfurt/Main , Germany.
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Adjami
authors.affiliation: b Department of Orthodontics , School of Dentistry, Goethe-University , Frankfurt/Main , Germany.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.affiliation: b Department of Orthodontics , School of Dentistry, Goethe-University , Frankfurt/Main , Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kopp
authors.affiliation: c Gesellschaft für Biomechanik Münster , Münster , Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Natrup
authors.affiliation: d Department of Orthodontics , School of Dentistry, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz , Mainz , Germany.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erbe
authors.affiliation: e Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main , Frankfurt/Main , Germany.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ohlendorf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Dental occlusion; force platform; plantar pressure distribution; postural control