Alessandro Nota

Evaluation of the correlation between dental occlusion and posture using a force platform

OBJECTIVES: Force platforms are widely used to evaluate the relationship between posture and dental occlusion. This study evaluated whether force platforms are able to detect eventual postural modifications resulting from dental occlusion. METHOD: A total of 44 healthy volunteers who were given no information on the aim of the study underwent six postural stabilometric exams under different mandibular and visual conditions. Four parameters were considered: sway area, sway velocity, X axis displacement of the center of the foot pressure and Y axis displacement of the center of the foot pressure. RESULTS: An analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed the relative influence of each factor; specifically, the ocular afference significantly influenced the sway area and sway velocity parameters, and the mandibular position had only a weak influence on the sway area parameter. CONCLUSIONS: Vision was shown to influence body posture, and a weak correlation was observed between mandibular position and body posture in healthy subjects. However, the force platform is most likely not able to clearly detect this relationship. Gnathologists must use caution when using force platform analysis to modify a therapeutic plan. The sway area seems to be the most sensitive parameter for evaluating the effect of occlusion on body posture.

Intersession reliability of a posturo-stabilometric test, using a force platform

AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the intersession reliability of a posturo-stabilometric examination. METHODS Single blind clinical trial conducted in two sessions over two weeks. 44 healthy volunteers free from postural and temporomandibular disorders. All the subjects complied with the criteria for completing the study. All the subjects underwent two sessions of posturo-stabilometric examinations in different visual and mandibular conditions. Sway area, sway length and the coordinates of the center of pressure were evaluated and statistically analyzed using the Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS All the posturo-stabilometric parameters seemed to have an excellent reproducibility with overall ICCs higher than 70% and good confidence intervals except for the sway area (ICC 0.422 with CI 0.283-0.560 with open eyes and ICC 0.554 with CI 0.424-0.683 with closed eyes). CONCLUSIONS The posturo-stabilometric examination carried out using a force platform has a good intrasession and intersession reliability, especially considering sway velocity, COP X and COP Y parameters. The force platform usefulness in analyzing static posture is confirmed in any medical field.

Influence of activation protocol on perceived pain during rapid maxillary expansion

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of two different activation protocols on the timing and intensity of pain during rapid maxillary expansion (RME). MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 112 prepubertal patients (54 males and 58 females, mean age 11.00 ± 1.80 years) with constricted maxillary arches underwent RME with two different activation protocols (group 1: one activation/day; group 2: two activations/day). Patients were provided with a numeric rating scale (NRS) and the Faces Pain Scale (FPS) to correctly assess their daily pain. RESULTS Subjects treated with RME at two activations/day reported statistically significantly greater amounts of pain than subjects treated with RME at one activation/day. Differences related to gender and skeletal maturity were found. CONCLUSION The choice of activation protocol influences the perceived pain during RME, and less daily expansion is correlated to less pain. Pain reported during RME could be influenced by skeletal maturity and gender of the subjects under treatment.

Influence of the mandibular position on the active cervical range of motion of healthy subjects analyzed using an accelerometer

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of the mandibular positions (habitual rest position, habitual maximum intercuspation, habitual maximum intercuspation with clenching, and mandibular position with cotton rolls) on the active cervical range of motion (ROM) (flexion-extension, lateroflexions, rotations) using an accelerometer in a sample of healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 21 (14 M, 7 F) healthy volunteers aged from 18 to 27 years (mean age 23.88 ± 2.34 years; mean weight 67.86 ± 11.38 kg; mean height 172.52 ± 9.00 cm) underwent a cervical range of movement examination using a 9-axis accelerometer. A one-way ANOVA analysis was performed in order to statistically evaluate the effective influence of the mandibular position on the recorded parameters. Results: The analysis showed no statistically significant differences (all p-values > 0.1) with variations smaller than three degrees among the different mandibular positions. Discussion: The mandibular position seems to have no influence on the active cervical ROM in healthy subjects. Further studies are needed to assess the usefulness of the accelerometer in the cervical analysis of temporomandibular disorder subjects.

Mandibular position influence on pilots’ postural balance analyzed under dynamic conditions

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of the mandibular position on the postural stability in a sample of civilian and military pilots. Methods: Twenty military pilots (males, mean age 35.15 ± 3.14 years) and 17 civilian pilots (males, mean 34.91 ± 2.15 years) were enrolled in this study and underwent a Sensory Organization Test (SOT) using the EquiTest® (NeuroCom International Inc., Clackamas, OR, USA) computerized dynamic posturography. The composite parameter was recorded and analyzed. Results: The equilibrium score (ES) recorded in centric occlusion is slightly higher than the ES recorded in mandibular rest position; civilian pilots showed ESs slightly higher than military pilots. The two-way ANOVA analysis shows these differences are not statistically significant. Discussion: The findings of this study seem to suggest that the composite parameter of the SOT is not sensitive in analyzing the influence of the stomatognathic system on the postural balance of civilian and military pilots.

Is there a correlation between nasal septum deviation and maxillary transversal deficiency? A retrospective study on prepubertal subjects

INTRODUCTION Deviated nasal septum may cause a reduction of the nasal airflow, thus, during the craniofacial development, a reduced nasal airflow could originate a chronic mouth-breathing pattern, related with moderate to severe maxillary constriction. The aim of this retrospective study is to analyze the correlation between maxillary transverse deficiency and nasal septum deviation. METHODS Frontal cephalograms were performed on 66 posterior-anterior radiographs of subjects (34M, 32F; mean age 9.95±2.50 years) with maxillary transverse deficiency and on a control group of 31 posterior-anterior radiographs of subjects (13M, 18F; 9.29±2.08 years). Angular parameters of the nasal cavities were recorded and compared between the two groups using a Students t-test. RESULTS Generally all the parameters are very similar between the two groups except for the ASY angle that differs for about the 27%; anyway the Students t-test showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (mostly p>0.20). CONCLUSIONS This study failed to show an association between transverse maxillary deficiencies and nasal septum deviations. Moreover, no significant differences were found between the mean nasal cavities dimensions in subjects with transverse maxillary deficiency and the control group.

Gnathopostural approach in sports medicine: clinics and research

T purpose of present research wasthe study of motivated effects of normative feedback on learning of throwing task with Autism Spectrum children. Therefore 20 Autism Spectrum children with age range 6-10 years (M=8/28, SD=1/22) were selected in available and were put randomly in two groups: Experimental (normative feedback, n=10) and control (nofeedback, n=10). Participants were asked to throw 100 grams beanbag into targets that were drawn on floor by over-hand throw with nondominant hand. First, 10 trials pre-tested and next acquisition stage was performed that included 10 block with 10 trials in each. After performing 10 trials, point related to it was added to 20% and declared to each participant as result of that block. 24 hours after practice stage, retention test was performed that included 10 trials non-feedback. Mixed ANOVA 2 x 6 revealed both groups progressed in acquisition stage and enhanced performance (P=0/000) but this was not significant between two groups (P=0/210) that reflected that the motivated effects of feedback was equal for both groups. The result of t-test for retention did not show any significant effect between two groups (P=0/314) and this revealed that normative feedback in this research was not a learning variable. Therefore using feedback with motivated effects among autism spectrum disorder needs further research and larger samples in order to advertise the results of this kind of research to other populations.Rising obesity levels and physical inactivity are major concerns in the 21st century due to their association with several health risks including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Engaging sedentary and obese population in a variety of exercise and physical activity patterns is a well-established approach, but it is often hindered by poor long-term compliance. Perhaps the workplace serves as an ideal location for delivering effective health screening physical activity and exercise intervention strategies, which helps to encourage healthy behaviors. In spite of major cultural and environmental differences, Qatar and the UK seem to share a global concern about the prevalence in sedentary risk factors in the workplace, and university campus workplaces being an ideal example. In a typical UK campus, several cardiovascular risk factors have been identified in both academic and administrators, including increased risk of hypertension and obesity, especially amongst academics. Similar prevalence of those risks have been reported in Qatari university students, a trend that may be similar for university employees in Qatar. Lifestyle interventions in sedentary and highrisk populations, which are based on carefully applied exercise training, and healthy diets within the workplace have proved effective and may provide long terms cardioprotective benefits. For example, addressing the specific adherence barriers, preventing exercise related injuries by applying the basic gait analysis to select the preferred motor behavior for injury predictors and plantar loading patterns and self-selected walking and running speeds among overweight and obese population. Applying biomechanical, physiological, nutritional, and psychological strategies jointly can ensure long-term compliance in obese and high-risk populations. Qatar being the wealthiest nation in the world has unfortunately one of the highest rates of obesity, type-II diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and future multifaceted re search approaches are needed in Qatari populations.

Approccio gnatologico in un caso di microsomia emifacciale

Riassunto Obiettivi Lo scopo di questo lavoro e descrivere un approccio gnatologico alla sintomatologia dell’articolazione temporomandibolare in un soggetto adulto affetto da microsomia emifacciale non trattata. Materiali e metodi E stato costruito un bite occlusale superiore altamente personalizzato allo scopo di tentare di ridurre lo stress giornaliero che affliggeva l’articolazione temporomandibolare del paziente. Risultati Dopo 2 mesi di utilizzo del bite occlusale il paziente ha riferito una riduzione della sintomatologia dolorosa e 6 mesi piu tardi la sua scomparsa, con un incremento dell’apertura mandibolare da 2 a 3 dita che gli ha permesso un importante incremento funzionale nel consumo dei pasti. Conclusioni Il trattamento ideale della microsomia emifacciale e quello chirurgico precoce. Un trattamento gnatologico con bite potrebbe pero offrire una soluzione temporanea alla sintomatologia dolorosa e alla riduzione di apertura mandibolare che si verificano nei soggetti non ancora trattati chirurgicamente.