Paper Title
FORWARD HEAD POSTURE IN TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS: INSIGHTS FROM CEPHALOMETRIC PILOT STUDY

Abstract
Forward head posture (FHP) is strongly linked to temporomandibular disorders (TMD), as it increases strain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding structures. This pilot study investigated the relationship between FHP and TMD by analyzing cephalometric markers using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Sixty participants, comprising 30 TMD patients and 30 controls, were assessed for markers such as N-S, Ba-c3ia, c2ap-c4ip, MCgOD plane, CVT, OPT, and their associated angles. Significant deviations in cranio-cervical alignment were observed in the TMD group, particularly in CVT, CVT-FH angle, CVT-NSL angle, Ba-c3ia, c2ap-c4ip, and others. These findings emphasize the role of FHP in TMD and call for further research to understand the biomechanical interplay between posture and TMD on a larger scale. Abbreviations : FHP: Forward Head Posture, TMD: Temporomandibular Disorder, TMJ: Temporomandibular Joint, CBCT: Cone Beam Computed Tomography, N-S: Nasion to Sella, Ba-c3ia: Basion to the Inferior Articular Surface of C3, c2ap-c4ip: C2 Anterior Process to C4 Inferior Process, MCgOD plane: Mandibular Condylar Odontoid Plane, CVT: Cervical Vertebra Tangent, OPT: Odontoid Process Tangent, CVT-OPT angle: Angle between CVT and OPT, FH: Frankfort Horizontal, CVT-FH angle: Angle between CVT and FH, CVT-NSL angle: Angle between CVT and Nasion-Sella Line, CVT RL: Cervical Vertebra Tangent Relative Length, OPT RL: Odontoid Process Tangent Relative Length, NSL OD plane: Nasion-Sella Line to Odontoid Plane.