Changes in body posture parameters in patients with temoporomandibular disorders

Objectives: Taking into consideration that human being is not a collection of the separates units, we should be aware of relation between the stomatognathic system and the rest of body especially in the general motor system. Basing on the literature the changing in head area may generate changes also in the rest of the body. The aim of the study was to establish that changes of mandible position and condition of stomatognathic system are related to changeability of value of chosen body posture parameters in frontal plane. Material: The group of 77 subjects with temporomandibular disorders. Among them were 43 without pain (group 1) and 37 patients complaining of orofacial pain (group 2). Control group account 42 subjects, average age of all subjects was 24 years. Methods: All the patients underwent body posture examination with reference to: rest position, maximal intercuspidation position, and biting the right-side premolars on salivary standard cottons. Body posture examination was performed by the means of photogrammometry method (Moiré projection). At the second stage, the patients' stomatognathic system was clinically examined. There were taking into account the Anamnestic and Dysfunction Helkimo Indexes. The obtained results were statistically analysed (Friedmann Chi-square test). Results: There were observed changes in value of frontal plane parameters of the body posture. Statistically significant differences in body posture in control group were noticed. As well as changes of few parameters in group 1 were also observed. It is worth to underline that in group 2 only one parameter was markedly changed. Conclusion: Stomatological treatment could not be effective enough especially in patients with pain symptoms in stomatognathic system. In such cases mobilisation of the whole body due to interdisciplinary cooperation is indicated. This study was performed thanks to university research project No530