POSTURE AND YOUR BITE

drdlburns@comcast.net www.davidlburnsdds.com 260-432-8596

For many years dental research has studied the relation of posture

to the individuals bite. A clinical diagnosis of whether the unique

bite of each person is normal or abnormal is currently

impossible. Dentistry has no standard that is agreed upon to

evaluate the patient’s bite condition as normal

POSTURE AND YOUR BITEor abnormal. However if one focuses on the fact the occlusal

plane and the unique posture of each person are correlated, it

becomes clear that observation of posture is probably an objective

indicator of the bite state.

Each person’s unique bite is a plane determined by the Y-

axis of the trunk of the body and position of the head. This

concept is defined as ideal occlusion, which is geometrically

POSTURE AND YOUR BITEexpressed in Figure 1 series 5 ( C.M. Guzay 1977 ).

.

If the bite is overclosed for some reason, the bite surpasses

the X- axis plane and takes place above the X-axis.This

clarifies the fact that the bite forces acts at this time on the A-

teeth, B-temporomandibular joint and C- cervical vertebrae

and becomes a latent cause for temporomandibular joint

disease and cervical problems. This condition is defined as being

POSTURE AND YOUR BITE

in a state of pathological occlusion which is geometrically expressed in Figure 1 series 6.

This is where moire topography comes into practice. The

posture photo is taken to evaluate each individual’s Y-axis of

the trunk of their body and position of their head. If the

posture is correct we can project the objective indicator of

the bite is normal as discussed earlier in ideal occlusion. If

on the other hand the posture is not correct we can define the

bite as abnormal.

The treatment for abnormal occlusion or posture imbalances

POSTURE AND YOUR BITE

involves a bite elevation device called a template(splint). The

template is balanced for each patient over time until the

posture is corrected and clinical signs reduced. The clinical

results of template insertion are correction of improper

posture, analgesic effect including headache relief,correction

of the arrangement of cervical vertebrae, improvement of

cerebrovascular circulation, correction of TMD and

improvement in athletics by increasing motor ability such as

muscle strength level and athletic performance and

decreasing concussions especially in contact sports.

In conclusion, we are able to evaluate our patient’s bite

through a moire topograghical picture and base our treatment

on the results. We are now able to help many postural

concerns by understanding the close relationship between the

axis of the trunk of the body and position of the head.