Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the neuromuscular deprogramming of the mandible on the craniocervical position.

Methods:

Participants (n = 65) were separated into two groups: 25 untreated controls (10 men and 15 women) and 40 patients (17 men and 23 women) and underwent neuromuscular deprogramming with upper occlusal splints for an average of 6 months and 7 days, before orthodontic treatment. Lateral cephalograms were obtained from each subject in the natural head position (NHP), before and after neuromuscular deprogramming. Craniocervical cephalometric analysis was performed to evaluate craniovertical (NSL/VER), craniocervical (OPT/NSL and CVT/NSL), and cervicohorizontal (OPT/HOR and CVT/HOR) angulation, and the angle of the cervical curvature (OPT/CVT).

Results:

After neuromuscular deprogramming, significant changes in three angles — NSL/VER (P<0·001), OPT/NSL (P<0·001) and CVT/NSL (P<0·001) — were found between the two groups. For the cervical spine position, no significant changes were observed.

Conclusion:

The results indicate that neuromuscular deprogramming using occlusal splint causes significant extension of the head.