Dental occlusion modifies gaze and posture stabilization in human subjects

Repercussion of dental occlusion was tested upon postural and gaze stabiliz ation, the latter with a visuo-motor task evaluated by shooting performance s. Eighteen permit holders shooters and 18 controls were enrolled in this s tudy. Postural control was evaluated in both groups according to four mandi bular positions imposed by interocclusal splints: (i) intercuspal occlusion (IO), (ii) centric relation (CR), (iii) physiological side lateral occlusi on and (iv) controlateral occlusion, in order to appreciate the impact of t he splints upon orthostatism. Postural control and gaze stabilization quali ty decreased, from the best to the worst, with splints in CR, IO a nd later al occlusion. In shooters, the improvement in postural control was parallel to superior shooting performance. A repercussion of dental occlusion upon proprioception and visual stabilization is suggested by these data. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.