A Comparison of Guiding Methods for Natural Head Posture

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degrees of vertical head rotation and reproducibility of Natural Head Posture (NHP) by guiding methods. Methods:The sample consisted of 30 adults in their twenties. Lateral and PA cephalometrics were taken for one month using the Head Posture Aligner (HPA) method and the Self Balance Posture (SBP) method. The degrees of vertical head rotation were compared by angular measurements in lateral cephalometrics. Reproducibility was evaluated using angular measurements in lateral cephalometrics, and height and width measurements in PA cephalometrics. Results:1. The degrees of vertical head rotation in the SBP method was lower than that of the HPA method by an average of 2.79°Æin lateral cephalometrics. 2. All measurements obtained using the HPA and SBP method in lateral cephalometrics did not show any significant differences according to the time interval and presented high reproducibility. 3. All measurements obtained using the HPA and SBP method in PA cephalometrics did not show any significant differences according to the time interval and presented high reproducibility. Conclusions:The results of the present study suggest that the SBP method may be a viable alternative to the HPA method in the PA and lateral cephalometrics for the purpose of acquiring enhanced reproducibility of NHP.