OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the head and craniocervical posture between individuals with and without TMD and its sub types by photographic and radiographic method.
METHODS: Thirty four TMD patients diagnosed according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD\'s (RDC/TMD) and were divided into 2 groups: Group I (muscle disorder), Group II (disc displacement). Control group comprised of 34 age and sex matched subjects without TMD. Lateral view photographs were taken and the head posture angle was measured. Craniocervical posture was assessed on lateral skull radiograph with two angles (Craniocervical Angle, Cervical Curvature Angle) and two distances (Suboccipital Space, Atlas-Axis Distance). To compare the results, t-test was used with significance level of 0.05.
RESULTS: Head posture showed no statistical significant difference (p > 0.05) between Group I, II and control group in both photographic and radiographic methods. The cervical curvature angle showed significant difference (p = 0.045) in Group I only. Atlas-Axis Distance was statistically significant in Group II (p = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirmed that there is a negative association of head posture and TMD whereas, cervical lordosis was present in Group I only.