Postural Perturbations Tracing to the Stomatognathic System

Launched by BOSTON UNIVERSITY · May 8, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how the way our teeth fit together, known as occlusion, can affect balance and walking patterns, especially in different age groups. Researchers want to understand if changes in the height of the bite can influence stability and how we move. They will be examining two groups of participants: younger adults with all their teeth and older adults who wear complete dentures. The study aims to see if using dental splints or participants’ own dentures can help improve balance and gait.

To be eligible for the study, younger participants should be between 30 and 45 years old, healthy, and have a complete set of natural or restored teeth, while older participants should be 50 to 65 years old and wear complete dentures. Participants will not be able to join if they have certain health conditions, such as Parkinson's disease or severe obesity, which could affect their balance. The trial is not yet recruiting participants, but if you qualify, you can expect to take part in assessments to see how your teeth and bite may relate to your stability and walking.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria for Group A
• • 30-45 years old
• • Physically and cognitively healthy (able to easily walk without assistance)
• • Possessing a complete set of teeth (either natural or restored with crowns)
• • Classified as Class I malocclusion according to Angle's criteria.
• • Inclusion criteria for Group B
• • 50-65 years old
• • Physically and cognitively healthy (able to easily walk without assistance)
• • Fully edentulous
• • Wear complete dentures
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Parkinson's Disease
• • Morbid obesity i.e. BMI values exceeding 40, calculated based on body weight and height requested over the phone or during the visit
• • Occlusion altered due to a non-physiological condition i.e. trauma or pathology
• • Active temporomandibular joint disorder
• • Pregnancy, as pregnancy-related physiological changes could influence the study's balance and gait measurements. This exclusion will be based on self-report during the screening process, and no additional testing will be conducted.
• • Any other condition that in the opinion of the study researchers has potential to impact balance or gait