Postural Perturbations Tracing to the Stomatognathic System
ConditionPosture
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age30-65
SponsorBoston University
About this trial
A connection of the stomatognathic system \[an anatomical system comprising the teeth, jaws, and associated soft tissues\] to postural control has been suggested in the literature. This research will investigate how occlusion can impact postural response, disorder, and rehabilitation by examining how modifications in the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) influence balance and gait.
Although it is currently unclear which or how restorative approaches cause postural disturbances, changes in several occlusal factors, i.e. VDO, Angle's class, crossbite and others have been suggested to manifest clearly into an altered stability, which could have a significant effect on the quality of life, especially in the elderly.
The present study aims to identify the degree to which specific interventions in oral cavity affect the stability and gait patterns of patients, This will b achieved by either:
* The use of dental splints (fully certified devices) * The use of the subjects' own dentures
A direct correlation of postural perturbations and VDO, would essentially void the necessity to evaluate specific interventions (e.g. different types of restorations) independently and allow clinicians to assess a potential effect on their patients' stability and gait based on pre- to post- treatment VDO.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
30-45 years old
Physically and cognitively healthy (able to easily walk without assistance)
Possessing a complete set of teeth (either natural or restored with crowns)
Classified as Class I malocclusion according to Angle's criteria.
Disqualifiers
Parkinson's Disease
Morbid obesity i.e. BMI values exceeding 40, calculated based on body weight and height requested over the phone or during the visit
Occlusion altered due to a non-physiological condition i.e. trauma or pathology
Active temporomandibular joint disorder
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Dental splints
Other interventionEach participant will receive six custom-made dental splints to incrementally increase their VDO. These splints will alter the VDO in increments from 5 to 30 mm, specifically: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mm.
Dentures
Other interventionParticipants in this group will participate in balance and gait testing both with and without their dentures to examine how the presence or absence of dentures affects postural stability and movement.
Treatment groups
40 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Group A- dental splintsActive comparator 1 intervention
Group B: Group B- denturesActive comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Center of pressure
This outcome will be assessed from data collected with a motion capture system (consisting of specialized infrared cameras), which will document the kinematics of reflective markers, placed on the subjects' head and body.
Time frame
60-90 minutes2
Postural sway
This outcome will be assessed from data collected with a motion capture system (consisting of specialized infrared cameras), which will document the kinematics of reflective markers, placed on the subjects' head and body.
Time frame
60-90 minutes3
Stride length
This outcome will be assessed from data collected with a motion capture system (consisting of specialized infrared cameras), which will document the kinematics of reflective markers, placed on the subjects' head and body.
Time frame
60-90 minutes4
Step width
This outcome will be assessed from data collected with a motion capture system (consisting of specialized infrared cameras), which will document the kinematics of reflective markers, placed on the subjects' head and body.
Time frame
60-90 minutesSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov