Dynamic analysis of the body's balance with the aid of PODATA platform in patients with vestibular disorders and malocclusions

Abstract

Introduction: Human posture is linked to a certain stable anatomic position between head, body, and upper and lower limbs. Posturology is the science for the human posture. The connections between the vestibular, ocular, stomatognathic, postural, and proprioceptive systems are studied due to their muscular chains interconnections. Aim: The present research aims to study the characteristics of the body’s balance in patients with vestibular disorders and orthodontic malocclusions, utilizing the PODATA platform. Materials and Methods: A total of 83 patients in the time period November–July 2022 were included. All patients filled out written informed consent forms in order to participate. The study received approval by the Medical University of Varna’s Ethics Committee. Patients were also provided with questionnaires in order to assess their symptoms. An ENT specialist and a dentist examined all patients. Patients were divided into several diagnostic groups. Results: When examined on the platform, patients shifted the center of gravity (CoG) of the body more often backwards and to the right side. Most patients with a shift of CoG backwards and to the right had a temporo-mandibular disorder (TMD) on the left side. Female patients were more affected than male ones. In patients who also had a vestibular disorder, CoG of the body was more often shifted backwards and to the right. Thirty-one had a malocclusion. Patients with a change of the middle line and deep bite were the most prevalent and they shifted CoG backward and to the right or only backwards. Conclusion: The presented study confirmed that there is a connection between the postural, stomatognathic and vestibular systems. Disorders in either of the systems results in consecutive changes in the others.