Influence of forward head posture on condylar position

• Published in: Journal of oral rehabilitation Vol. 35; no. 11; pp. 795 - 800
• Main Authors: OHMURE, H., MIYAWAKI, S., NAGATA, J., IKEDA, K., YAMASAKI, K., AL-KALALY, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.2008
• Subjects: Adult; condylar position; Dentistry; Electromyography; forward head posture; Head Movements - physiology; Humans; Male; Mandibular Condyle - physiology; mandibular rest position; Masseter Muscle - physiology; Masticatory Muscles - physiology; Temporal Muscle - physiology; temporomandibular disorders; temporomandibular joint; Temporomandibular Joint - physiology; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0305-182X; 1365-2842
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2842.2007.01834.x

Summary  There are several reports suggesting that forward head posture is associated with temporomandibular disorders and restraint of mandibular growth, possibly due to mandibular displacement posteriorly. However, there have been few reports in which the condylar position was examined in forward head posture. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the condyle moves posteriorly in the forward head posture. The condylar position and electromyography from the masseter, temporal and digastric muscles were recorded on 15 healthy male adults at mandibular rest position in the natural head posture and deliberate forward head posture. The condylar position in the deliberate forward head posture was significantly more posterior than that in the natural head posture. The activity of the masseter and digastric muscles in the deliberate forward head posture was slightly increased. These results suggest that the condyle moves posteriorly in subjects with forward head posture.