NCT06974591

Postural Perturbations Tracing to the Stomatognathic System

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Boston University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 30 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Posture

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Dental splints	Each 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.
OTHER	Dentures	Participants 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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-11-17
• Primary completion: 2027-06-01
• Completion: 2027-06-01
• First posted: 2025-05-16
• Last updated: 2025-12-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States