18 Oct 2016

Lordosis of the neck is the normal curvature needed for a person to have a full range of motion in rotation, flexion, and extension. Patients with a loss of that cervical l0rdosis can mask the degree of bite distortion present.  Patients with bilaterally displaced TMJ disks will frequently have masked the severity of the anterior open bite distortion that occurs by repositioning the mandible as well as increasing forward head position and taking OA extension to a maximum. Accurately mounted study models taken after the cervical curvature has been supported can reveal that discrepancy.

Models mounted with bite record taken at initial visit mask the degree of anterior open bite.
Models mounted with bite record taken AFTER restoration of cervical lordosis reveal true degree of bite distortion.
Patient with jaw pain and extreme forward head position has compensated dentally - at the expense of the neck
Patient with jaw pain and extreme forward head position has compensated dentally – at the expense of the neck.
Patient with jaw pain and extreme forward head position has compensated dentally – at the expense of the neck.

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