28 February 2022

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Interation between maxillo-mandibular deformities and posture: data from a recent systematic review

Lara Figini

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Maxillomandibular deformities (MMD) turn out to be an incorrect relationship between the jaws causes malocclusion. In addition to mallocclusion, MMDs involve a variety of associated symptoms such as disorders of oral function (such as masticatory disorder), oral breathing, temporomandibular joint disorders, facial asymmetry and lingual dysfunction. Most MMDs are the result of growth disturbances of the facial skeleton. Most malocclusions are treated orthodontically, however, approximately 2% of patients with malocclusion require combined orthodontic and orthognatic surgery treatment.
Postural dysfunction is defined as the inability to maintain, achieve or restore it state of balance in any posture or during any motor activity. Maxillomandibular deformities (MMD) and body posture appear to be related, however, in the literature, there is still little evidence to support them.

Materials and methods
In a systematic review of the literature, published on International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, January 2022, the authors analyzed whether there could be a correlation between posture and MMD maxillofacial deformities. This systematic literature review was registered in the PROSPERO database and was performed via MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science according to a pre-established search strategy.

Results
A total of 13 clinical studies were included. Nine studies found a significant association between MMD and body posture or body balance: two studies found one correlation between increased cervical lordosis and skeletal class III MMDs, two studies showed a correlation between mandibular deviation and scoliosis, four studies demonstrated a significant association between lumbar spine and pelvis anatomy and MMDs, and one study found a correlation between CG shift and MMDs. However, the level of evidence from the studies included in this review is low and the methods used to assess body posture and MMDs inconsistent.

Conclusions
From the data of this review, which must be confirmed in other similar reviews, it can be concluded that, although there is a low level of evidence for the literature studies on this topic, there is some correlation between MMD maxillo-mandibular deformities and body posture. .

Clinical implications
Orthognathic surgery, which aims to correct MMDs, can not only restore facial balance, but also correct oral breathing and body posture. Further valid and quality clinical studies are needed to certify this correlation with certainty and to understand the mechanisms involved.

For additional information: Interaction between posture and maxillomandibular deformity: a systematic review