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Occlusal support and postural stability in children: An observational study
Yuto Tanaka1, Noritaka Yoshino2, Kazuki Sako3
1Departments of, Special Care Dentistry, Osaka Dental University Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
Insights
Uneven occlusal contact increases postural sway in children, but does not appear to increase fall risk. This study examined the relationship in 9-12 year olds, finding no link between occlusal contact, sway, and falls.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric dentistry
- Biomechanics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Previous studies linked uneven occlusal contact to falls in the elderly.
- Confounding factors like systemic disease were not well controlled in prior research.
- This study focuses on children (9-12 years) to minimize confounding variables.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between uneven occlusal contact and fall risk in children.
- To assess if occlusal contact influences postural stability in a pediatric population.
- To determine the association between occlusal contact, postural sway, and fall history in children aged 9-12.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-five children (mean age 9.5 years) participated.
- Occlusal contact area ratio was measured using a pressure sensor sheet.
- Postural sway was assessed using a stabilometer, measuring center of pressure parameters.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between occlusal contact area ratio and postural sway parameters.
- Propensity score matching was used to control for overall physical function.
- No significant differences in postural sway or occlusal contact were observed between children with and without a history of falls.
Conclusions:
- Uneven occlusal contact is associated with increased postural sway in children.
- Despite increased postural sway, uneven occlusal contact does not appear to be a risk factor for fall incidence in this age group.
- Further research may be needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay between oral health, balance, and falls in children.
Background:
The relationship between uneven occlusal contact and fall risk has been described in elderly participants; however, multiple confounding factors, such as systemic disease or deterioration in vestibular function, have not been well considered. This study aimed to investigate this relationship in pediatric participants at the age of approximately 9-12, where these confounding factors are absent and the replacement of primary molars by permanent ones generally occurs and transiently results in uneven occlusal contact.
Methods:
Sixty-five children (36 boys and 29 girls, mean age: 9.5 ± 1.5 years) were enrolled in this study. Participants were asked whether they had experienced at least two falls within the past 1 year. The occlusal contact area ratio was calculated by dividing the greater half (right or left dental arch) by the smaller half (the other half) with U-shaped pressure sensor sheet. The total length and rectangular area of the center of pressure while standing upright for 10 s were measured with a stabilometer and used as postural sway parameters.
Results:
The occlusal contact area ratio significantly correlated with the postural sway parameters. Comparison between those who had experienced the fall incidences and those who had not after propensity score matching that adjusts their overall physical function revealed that there were no significant differences in the postural sway parameters and occlusal contact area ratio regardless of the history of fall incidence.
Conclusions:
Uneven occlusal contact leads to an increase in postural sway in children; however, this may not be associated with fall incidence.
