Indonesian Journal of Dentistry 2006; Edisi Khusus KPPIKG XIV: 421-426
Temporomandibular joint disorder may be caused by variety of factors; one of which is the posture of head and neck. However, the remains controversial and a subject of debate by experts. The objective of this study was to know whether there was a relation between temporomandibular disorders and the head and neck posture seen radiographically. Subject were 40 dental students from University of Indonesia who met the inclusion criteria, selected through questionnaire, and subjective examinations based on Helkimo's dysfuction index. Then, lateral cephalometries radiographic were done to all subjects. In the radiogram, a horizontal line was made from the nasion point to the sella tursica, and a vertical line was drawn along the prominent bone of C1 - C5. The angle between the two lines was measured, and used to represent the head and neck posture. The design of the study was cross sectional. Based on statistical analysis, there was no significant relationship between the anamnestic dysfunction index as well as the clinical dysfunction index that represented the temporomandibular joint disorders and the posture of head and neck seen radiographically.