Document details

Relationship between sagittal malocclusion and posture in adults A systematic review

Author(s): Bekkouche, Lehana Hadj

Date: 2026

Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11816/5123

Origin: Repositório CESPU

Subject(s): Malocclusion; Body Posture; Craniocervical Posture; Orthognathic Surgery; Adults; Orthodontic Treatment


Description

Background and objectives: Several studies have investigated the relationship between the stomatognathic system and body posture, primarily in children or mixed-age populations. No systematic review has focused exclusively on adults. This review addressed (1) the association between sagittal malocclusion and craniocervical and global posture in adults, and (2) the effects of orthodontic camouflage and orthognathic surgery on posture. Materials and methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus, covering publications from January 2000 to January 2026. Cross-sectional and interventional studies in adults with natural malocclusion were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for cross-sectional studies and the ROBINS-I tool for interventional studies. Results: A total of 21 studies were included: 8 cross-sectional and 13 interventional. Cross- sectional studies showed class-dependent craniocervical postural adaptations, with Class II adults exhibiting anterior centre-of-pressure displacement and forefoot overload, while Class III adults showed rearfoot dominance and posterior body orientation. Interventional studies demonstrated that mandibular setback consistently displaced the hyoid bone posteroinferiorly and narrowed the pharyngeal airway, triggering compensatory craniocervical adaptations. Orthognathic surgery was associated with modest improvements in global alignment and plantar pressure distribution. The single orthodontic cohort reported limited postural changes. Most studies presented a moderate risk of bias. Conclusions: A functional association between sagittal malocclusion and craniocervical posture in adults is supported, with class-dependent patterns across study types. However, causal inference cannot be established given the predominance of non-randomised designs and moderate risk of bias. Malocclusion is likely one factor among many influencing postural adaptation. Further well-designed longitudinal studies are required.

Document Type Master thesis
Language English
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