The Association between Body Posture and Malocclusion in Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between body posture and dental malocclusion in adolescents.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between malocclusion and body posture in 37 adolescents aged 10-14 who met the selection criteria. A trained and calibrated evaluator assessed malocclusion using Angle's classification and evaluated the severity with the dental esthetic index (DAI). Frontal and lateral body postures were reviewed by a licensed medical technology specialist in physical therapy and rehabilitation using a plumb line, with postures classified as correct or incorrect. Data analysis utilized Chi-square tests and binary logistic regressions (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

No association was found between Angle malocclusion and body posture (p = 0.277). However, an association was identified when considering severity, with incorrect frontal posture observed in 77.8% of adolescents with defined malocclusion and 71.4% in those with severe malocclusion (p = 0.035). When malocclusion was regrouped into 2 categories (normal occlusion and malocclusion), a significant association with frontal posture was found (p = 0.035). Logistic regression showed that individuals with defined malocclusion are 9.09-fold more likely to develop improper frontal posture (p = 0.048). Furthermore, when severity was categorized into 2 groups, individuals with malocclusion were found to have a 7.29-fold higher risk of developing incorrect frontal body posture in the position.

CONCLUSION

The severity of malocclusion is associated with incorrect frontal body posture, with individuals with defined malocclusion being more likely to develop improper frontal posture.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with the presence of malocclusion has more risk of developing incorrect frontal body posture. Therefore, orthodontists should consider this relationship when treating their patients. How to cite this article: Morales-Atarama PG, Arriola-Guillén LE. The Association between Body Posture and Malocclusion in Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(1):48-54.