Effect of Mandibular Postures on Postural Stability Among Collegiate Students

Objectives: To examine the influence of three mandibular postures—neutral/rest, maximum intercuspal clenching, and comfortable submaximal opening—on static and dynamic postural stability in healthy collegiate students. Subjects: Twenty-four healthy adults aged 20–23 years participated in a within-subject, cross-sectional study. Methods: Postural stability was assessed using a computerized force-platform HUMAC Balance System (Computer Sports Medicine Inc., USA). Participants performed balance assessments under three randomized mandibular conditions: habitual rest (neutral), maximal intercuspal clenching, and comfortable submaximal jaw opening. Primary outcomes were Limits of Stability (LOS) for dynamic balance and Center of Pressure (COP) sway for static balance under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Mean values across three trials per condition were analyzed using paired-samples t-tests (p ≤ 0.05). Results: Compared with neutral mandibular posture, both clenching and jaw-open positions were associated with improvements in dynamic balance (LOS increased from 62.5 ± 22.3 to 69.8 ± 16.2 and 71.9 ± 16.3, respectively; clenching vs neutral, p = 0.014). Static balance showed reduced COP sway in clenching condition for both eyes-open and eyes-closed stances (p = 0.045). Conclusions: Mandibular posture modulates both static and dynamic postural stability in healthy young adults. Jaw clenching and comfortable submaximal opening enhance balance compared with neutral posture, supporting a functional coupling between the stomatognathic system and postural control mechanisms. These results may have implications for rehabilitation practices and athletic performance enhancement. Recommendation: Future studies should explore these mandibular posture effects in clinical populations, such as patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) or balance impairments, to validate therapeutic applications.