Abstract :
Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between sagittal skeletal discrepancies and craniocervical posture in Indian population.
Background: The anthropological literature has shown a great deal of interest in the issue of whether head morphology and posture are related. Given the correlation between the morphology and dimensions of the upper cervical spine and the variations in craniofacial morphology observed among individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds, it is plausible that there exist variations in upper spine morphology among different ethnic groups. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sagittal skeletal discrepancies and craniocervical posture in Indian population.
Materials and Methods : Lateral cephalograms of 98 subjects of Indian origin were taken in Natural Head Position(NHP). Cephalometric analysis was performed to determine the growth pattern, sagittal position of maxilla and mandible with respect to cranial base, maxillomandibular relationship and craniocervical angles. The craniocervical angles used in this study were NSL/OPT, NSL/CVT, NL/OPT NL/CVT. These variables were then correlated.
Results : A positive association was observed between the NSL/OPT- Y-Axis, NSL/OPT-FMPA. However, this relationship was not statistically significant(p>0.05). A positive association was observed between NSL/CVT- Y-Axis, NSL/CVT-FMPA which was statistically significant (p>0.05).
Conclusions: The postural variables were slightly higher than those previously reported in European population. More upright craniocervical posture was associated with Class II maxillomandibular relation. As the craniocervical angles reduced, the maxillary and mandibular prognathism increased. Cervical spine flexion was seen to be associated with horizontal growers and more erect spine was seen in vertical growers.
Keyword :
Cervical Vertebrae, Craniocervical Posture, Cervical Spine Morphology, Indian Population