The relationship between posture and equilibrium and the auriculotemporal nerve in patients with disturbed gait and balance.

Balance is defined as a state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing factors. This is the act of maintaining an upright posture (static balance) or in locomotion (dynamic balance or gait). This system depends on vestibular function, vision, and proprioception to maintain posture, to navigate in one's surroundings, to coordinate motion of body parts, to modulate fine motor control, and to initiate the vestibuloculomotor reflexes. These parts of the vestibular system provide our brains with information about changes in head movement with respect to the pull of gravity. Besides the visual, vestibular, and skeletal systems, which contribute to balance disorders, the dental (stomatognathic) system may also contribute to balance disorders. It is when all four of these systems are in coordination with one another, that a person will maintain equilibrium and balance, proper gait, and posture. The current article demonstrates, through normal anatomical and neurological processes, how the stomatognathic system influences these activities.