The Association Between Posture of the Head and Malocclusion in Saudi Subjects

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether a relationship exists between posture of the head and neck, and the presence of certain malocclusal problems. Dental models, in addition to lateral cephalometric radiographs, taken in the “natural head position” of 180 male and female subjects were obtained. The postural angles between the head and the cervical column, termed craniovertical, craniocervical, cervicohorizontal, and cervical curvature, were measured. The malocclusal traits studied were: molar relation, crowding, spaces, overbite, overjet, crossbites, and midline displacements. Results show that a relationship between crowding and head posture could only be found in subjects with upper arch crowding and cervical curvature (p<0.01). A significant difference in craniocervical and cervicohorizontal angles was observed in subjects with overbite, compared to subjects without overbite (p<0.01, p<0.001). The influence of gender on overbite and head posture was also found to be strongly correlated (p<0.05). With regard to molar relation, Class II malocclusion showed a stronger relation with craniovertical and cervicohorizontal angles than both other classes (p<0.05, p<0.01). A significant correlation was found between craniovertical angles NSL/VER and overjet, irrespective of gender or age (p<0.05). Crossbite was strongly correlated with all craniocervical angles (p<0.05). It can be concluded that certain malocclusal problems are more strongly associated with head posture than others, and that crowding does not seem to play a major role in this association in the present study.

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Notes on contributors

Eman A. AlKofide

Dr. Eman A. AlKofide received a B.D.S. from King Saud University, College of Dentistry, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1988. He received a Fellowship in Craniomandibular and Orofacial Pain from the Gelb Center at Tufts University in 1992 and an M.S. degree in dental sciences from Tufts University in 1992. She obtained a clinical certificate in orthodontics from Tufts University in 1994 and a D.Sc. degree in public health from the Henry Goldman Dental School, Boston University in 1997. Dr. AlKofide is a Diplomate of the Amercian Board of Orofacial Pain and is board certified by the Amercan Association of Orthodontists.

Eman AlNamankani

Dr. Eman AlNamankani received a B.D.S. degree from King Saud University, College of Dentistry, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1997 and a masters degree and clinical certificate in orthodontics from King Saud University, College of Dentistry in 2003. Dr. AlNamankani is a member of the World Federation of Orthodontists.