How changing bite height affects balance and walking
Official title: Postural Perturbations Tracing to the Stomatognathic System
Run by Boston University · NCT06974591 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research will test whether changing the vertical height of the bite with dental splints or dentures affects balance and gait in adults with natural teeth or complete dentures.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 30 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Boston University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 17, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 2027 |
| Study ends | June 2027 |
| Registry record updated | December 4, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06974591 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are physically and cognitively healthy adults aged 30–45 with complete natural dentition and Class I occlusion, or adults aged 50–65 who are fully edentulous, wear complete dentures, and can walk without assistance.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with active temporomandibular joint disorders, Parkinson's disease, morbid obesity (BMI > 40), occlusion altered by trauma or pathology, or who are pregnant are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The study will compare two groups of physically and cognitively healthy adults: 30–45-year-olds with complete natural or restored teeth and Class I occlusion, and 50–65-year-olds who are fully edentulous and wear complete dentures. Participants will undergo controlled modifications of the vertical dimension of occlusion using certified dental splints or their own dentures while investigators record objective balance and gait measures. Outcome measures will include postural stability metrics and walking pattern parameters to determine functional effects of occlusal changes. The goal is to clarify whether specific dental interventions produce measurable changes in stability that could influence mobility and quality of life, particularly in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, bite-height adjustments could become a simple way to improve balance and lower fall risk for some patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior small studies and case reports have suggested links between occlusion and posture, but evidence is limited and mixed, so the approach remains relatively unproven.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for Group A * 30-45 years old * Physically and cognitively healthy (able to easily walk without assistance) * Possessing a complete set of teeth (either natural or restored with crowns) * Classified as Class I malocclusion according to Angle's criteria. Inclusion criteria for Group B * 50-65 years old * Physically and cognitively healthy (able to easily walk without assistance) * Fully edentulous * Wear complete dentures Exclusion Criteria: * Parkinson's Disease * Morbid obesity i.e. BMI values exceeding 40, calculated based on body weight and height requested over the phone or during the visit * Occlusion altered due to a non-physiological condition i.e. trauma or pathology * Active temporomandibular joint disorder * Pregnancy, as pregnancy-related physiological changes could influence the study's balance and gait measurements. This exclusion will be based on self-report during the screening process, and no additional testing will be conducted. * Any other condition that in the opinion of the study researchers has potential to impact balance or gait
Where it's running
-
Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Alexandros Tsouknidas, PhD — Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University
- Study coordinator: Alexandros Tsouknidas, PhD
- Email: atsouk@bu.edu
- Phone: 617-358-8777
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.