Craniofacial asymmetry in non-syndromic orthodontic subjects: clinical and postural evaluation

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible influence of a malocclusion pattern on a patient’s posture.

Methods: Patients affected by symmetric malocclusion or malocclusion with mild to moderate non-syndromic craniofacial asymmetry were submitted to a clinical and X-ray evaluation. Subjects with symmetric skeletal class I were used as the control group. Evaluation of differences in postural pattern was performed using rasterstereography.

Results: Statistical analysis (t-test) was performed on 61 patients divided in homogeneous subgroups. The results show a pelvic torsion angle of 1.08° + 3.00° (P = 0.0023) (normal value (NV) = 0.0–1.9°) in subjects presenting skeletal class II z asymmetry (control group: 1.17° ± 1.25°, not significant (NS)).

Conclusions: The present study shows evidence of a relationship between malocclusion and spinal posture. A better understanding of the relationship between malocclusion and posture may help in planning a multidisciplinary approach that could involve other specialists.