ABSTRACT
Background: This study investigates the relationship between malocclusion and body posture, head posture, podal system, and gait parameters in children. Methods: A systematic review of observational studies from 2010 to 2023 was conducted and 24 cross-sectional studies involving 6199 participants were identified. These studies were categorized into those dealing with body posture (10 studies, 3601 participants), cervical vertebral column and head posture (6 studies, 644 participants), the podal system (5 studies, 1118 participants), and gait (3 studies, 836 participants). Results: Evidence suggests a significant association between malocclusion and body posture, balance, podal system, and gait parameters. Notably, eight studies found a significant relationship between malocclusion and body posture, while five studies identified this relationship with the cervical vertebral column and head posture, five with the podal system, and three with gait parameters. Conclusions: Overall, the quality of evidence was strong for the association between malocclusion and body posture and the podal system and moderate for head posture and gait parameters. These findings offer insights for therapists to design interventions tailored to children with malocclusion based on considerations of body posture, head posture, podal system, and gait parameters, though further longitudinal cohort studies are needed for better predictive understanding.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The correspondence between various aspects of human postural parameters and the spatial relation of the jaws is of increasing interest among scientists. Emerging research suggests that the stomatognathic system and posture play, in a broad sense, significant roles. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between various malocclusion types and gait parameters, the distribution of foot pressure on the ground, and body balance. METHODS: The study involved 155 patients aged 12-16. The subjects were divided into groups according to their malocclusion-Angle's class II (n = 32), Canine class II (n = 31), and Overbite (n = 46). The control group (n = 46) comprised children not demonstrating any defects. The study data were collected by direct observation of the oral cavity. Gait analysis was carried out using the Wiva® Science sensor, and the distribution of foot forces on the ground and body balance was determined via the E.P.S R/1 pedobarographic mat. The non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was applied for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Analysis of the results obtained showed statistically significant differences in left step duration (p = 0.042) and the duration of the right step (p = 0.021), as well as the projection of the body's center of gravity on the left foot (p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Distoocclusion in the anterior part of the mandible may cause different positioning of the head and neck, as well as varying tension of the muscles, further leading to balance disorders while walking.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dental malocclusion is an increasingly frequent stomatognathic disorder in children and adolescents nowadays. The purpose of this study was to confirm or deny the correlations between body posture and malocclusion. METHODS: In the study, gait, distribution of foot pressure on the ground, and body balance were examined. The research group consisted of 76 patients aged 12-15 years. The research group was obtained from patients attending periodic dental check-ups at Healthcare Center Your Health EL who agreed to participate in the study. The patients were divided into two groups without malocclusion and with malocclusion, using Angle classification, which enabled determination of the anteroposterior relationship of the first molars. The pedobarographic mat was used to analyze the distribution of foot forces on the ground, the diagnostic system Wiva® Science was used for gait analysis, and Kineod 3D was used for posture analysis. The Shapiro-Wilk test used for analysis showed inconsistency with normal distribution for all measurement parameters. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for the analysis, and the significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Examination of the relationship between stabilometric and gait parameters showed that the position of the mandible in relation to maxilla has an important effect on gait rhythm, gait cycle duration, and right step duration time. Patients diagnosed with malocclusion showed high-speed walking rhythm in comparison to patients with Angle's class I (p = 0.010). The duration of the whole gait cycle (p = 0.007) and the duration of right step (p = 0.027) were prolonged in students without orthodontic disorders compared to the other. CONCLUSIONS: The conducted study proved that there is correlation between the presence of a stomatognathic disorder and gait cycle parameters. There is a statistically noticeable correspondence between the position of the mandible in relation to maxilla and walking rhythm, gait cycle duration, and right step duration time. Namely, students who presented malocclusion had a high-speed walking rhythm and decreased duration of the gait cycle and of the right step. On the other hand, students without disorders (Angle's class I) showed low-speed rhythm and increased duration of the gait cycle and of the right step in comparison to Angle's classes II and III.
