ABSTRACT
Objective
To evaluate the effect of body posture on occlusal contact.
Methods
A total of 30 healthy subjects were evaluated. T-Scan™ III was used to analyze the center of occlusal force (COF) and occlusal force distribution while subjects remained supine (SP), upright sitting with the head fixed (UP-HFI), upright sitting with the head free (UP-HFR), and natural standing (NS).
Results
The total trajectory length of COF was significantly longer in NS than in SP, UP-HFI, and UP-HFR. The COF area was significantly larger in UP-HFR than in SP and UP-HFI and also significantly larger in NS than in SP, UP-HFI, and UP-HFR. The anteroposterior occlusal force distribution (AOD) in NS shifted significantly forward, compared to SP, UP-HFI, and UP-HFR. AOD in UP-HFI and UP-HFR shifted significantly forward, compared to the SP position.
Conclusion
Changes in body posture affect the stability and anteroposterior balance of occlusal contacts.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).