Abstract
BACKGROUND: Orthodontic treatment is commonly employed to address various functional and aesthetic concerns, including potential abnormalities in the line of force. However, the correlation between the physical alterations resulting from orthodontic treatment and the associated potential risks has not been clearly established. This study aims to evaluate whether orthodontic treatment effectively enhances body balance in young individuals. METHODS: This cross-sectional cohort study involved right-handed, non-obese individuals aged 18 to 24 years. Eligibility criteria for the orthodontic treatment (OT) group included the completion of active orthodontic therapy within the last 6 months, with the entire treatment period not surpassing 2 years and those who had never undergone orthodontic treatment (NOT group). We assessed and compared their mastication rates, Axial Trunk Rotation (ATR) angles, left-right balance in muscle thickness and grayscale values of key muscles, and plantar pressure distribution. RESULTS: The OT group (n = 17) demonstrated a significantly lower mastication rate compared to the NOT group (n = 34), along with notable left-right imbalances in muscle thickness, particularly in the sternohyoid and rectus abdominis muscles. Although no significant left-right differences were observed in overall plantar pressure characteristics between the groups, ATR and mastication rate in the OT group showed significant correlations with specific muscle and plantar pressure characteristics. CONCLUSION: Orthodontic treatment effectively achieves dental alignment, but our findings suggest it may also be associated with reduced mastication efficiency and indicators of bodily imbalance. Further studies are needed to confirm these associations.