Effect of occlusal balance on center of gravity in body

교합균형이 자세 중심(重心)에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구

Suppose that dental occlusion is related to body posture. We want to find out that improving occlusal balance may affect vibration and distribution of C.O.P. in which way, by measuring change of posture and center of gravity (center of pressure, C.O.P.) which plays important role in measuring balance sensation. Total 11 students at Kyung Hee dental college students, 4 females and 9 males (age: 23-30) participated in this test, who have normal occlusion (Angle's classification I), no TMJ problems. All of the participants have no tooth loss except 3rd molar, no prosthesis over single tooth restoration, no orthopedic problems which affect balance sensation, and no otorhinolaryngological problems. First, we registrated bite by centric relation, and then fabricated stabilization splint that is increased 3.5mm vertical dimension around premolar region. By F-scan (Tekscan Inc., Boston, Mass), we measured discrepancy of average contact pressure of left and right foot. And we also measured discrepancy of vibration of C.O.P(center of pressure). before setting stabilization splint and after wearing stabilization splint at intervals of 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks after. In normal human beings, improved occlusal balance by stabilization splint leads to decrease of vibration of C.O.P. (P<0.05). One week after wearing stabilization splint, vibration of C.O.P. decreased reliably (P<0.05), two weeks after wearing stabilization splint, vibration of C.O.P. decreased similarly comparing to before wearing and one week after wearing. (P<0.05) After two weeks and three weeks, however, it was hard to find reliability. (P>0.05) Difference between average contact pressure of right and left foot also decreased. (P<0.05) We could find decrease after one week of wearing stabilization splint (P<0.05) and two weeks after, the decrease was more reliable than one week after. (P<0.05) After two weeks and three weeks, however, it was hard to find reliability. Improvement of occlusal balance leads to decrease of vibration of C.O.P. and decrease of difference between right and left average contact pressure.