Forward Head Posture Correction Impact on Temporomandibular Dysfunction

The relationship between the two conditions of forward head posture (FHP) and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) have been previously stated with comparing the craniocervical angle (CVA) of TMD patients to the healthy individuals, still a clear relationship couldn't be drawn due to different study limitations such as the lack of subdivision in the TMD patients based on their diagnostic subcategories in addition to, patients posture might have been altered while the photo was captured. Ever since, multiple researchers deliberately investigated the two conditions association and inferred the following: 1. FHP can be a risk factor resulting in TMD where any alteration in the head position produces more tension on the masticatory muscles by changing the mandible position 2. TMD origins from muscular component is more significant than articular component yet the correlation between head posture and TMD is still not clear enough, however, if FHP and myogenic TMD were linked preventive measures can be taken. recently, multiple studies established a relation between the occurrence of FHP in TMD patients which supported the hypothesized relation between them.

Till present, no study has investigated the FHP Denneroll cervical traction orthodontic (DCTO) correction impact alone on TMD and this is where the purpose of this study arises from.

Inclusion criteria

• The participant experiencing one or more of TMD signs or symptoms and has been diagnosed with TMD beside having forward head posture with craniocervical (CVA) angle < 50.
• The study will be limited to the patients in the dental clinic of the university of Sharjah.
• Participants experiencing mild to moderate myogenic TMD with symptoms of orofacial pain and limited range of jaw opening.

Exclusion criteria

• Previous head, neck or TMJ traumas.
• History of temporomandibular joint surgery.