[Stabilimetry and cranio-cervico-mandibular disorders]

Cranio-cervico-mandibular disorders can cause disturbances in posture. Stabilimetry measures spatio-temporal variations in the center of body pressure and evaluates the mechanisms of maintenance of balance. The study used a stabilimetric platform to evaluate posture changes in patients with cranio-cervico-mandibular disorders before and after treatment for malocclusion.

Between February 1998 and December 2000, 60 patients with cranio-cervico-mandibular disorders were recruited from the Dentistry Clinic of the University of Sassari. Each patient underwent two stabilimetric examinations (closed mouth with cotton wads inserted between the dental arches). The tests were conducted on a stabilimetric platform. Measurement of body posture load and sway were analyzed with a specific software program that correlated the vestibular, somatosensory and visual systems, and determined the role of each in postural control.

The stabilimetric analysis showed that the adoption of the plaque allowed rebalance of the postural system, without affecting the visual system. After treatment, 64% of patients experienced remission of pain symptoms with orthotic therapy.

The relationship between malocclusion and posture should be seen from a holistic standpoint in other to gain a global therapeutic outcome.