Postural response of the head to bite opening in adult males

The postural position of the head is a resultant of muscular interactions and reactions, influenced by gravity and functional demands. In order to investigate possible postural adaptation of the head to an altered functional status, a standard degree of jaw opening was produced by mechanical means in the mouths of thirty young males. There was an extension of the head associated with the jaw separation. In the majority of cases, a recovery to approximately the original posture resulted within 1 hour after removal of the bite-opening device.