Relationship between Head Posture and Temporomandibular Joint Function

Background of Study: Temporomandibular Joint function is affected in altered cervical spine postures, has been proved in previous researches.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to find out the correlation between mandibular opening and craniovertebral angle which represent the Temporomandibular Joint Function and Cervical Spine Posture respectively.

Procedure: 60 subjects which included 30 males and 30 females with mean age 22.55±2.884 years were selected using stratified random sampling method. Craniovertebral angle and vertical mouth opening was measured using photographic method and vernier calipers respectively in three basic cervical spine postures. Karl Pearson coefficient was found between the two variables.

Results: Karl-Pearson coefficient of correlation was found for the craniovertebral angle and vertical mouth opening in 180 positions of 60 subjects which claimed a moderate negative correlation between the two with r value of -0.479.

Conclusion: Results showed a moderate negative correlation between the craniovertebral angle and mandibular opening i.e mandibular opening increased as the craniovertebal angle decreased and vice versa.