September 2006 
 SOT Dental Research Update 2006
 Dental Chiropractic Symposium • October 26-29th, 2006
SOT Dental Research Update 2006
SOTO-USA's Multidisciplinary Annual Event
SOT Related Research Information
Research Search Engines
The Alliance of TMD Organizations
Dental Chiropractic Co-treatment and SOT
Dental and Chiropractic Symposium



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Dear Colleague:

The SOT Dental Research Update is a service offered by SOTO-USA to keep doctors who are familiar with sacro occipital technique (SOT) aware of the latest TMD related research related events, papers, and concepts affecting our practices. Please contact me directly at drcblum@aol.com if you are aware of others who might be interested in receiving this newsletter.

Please don't miss SOTO-USA's 7th Annual CLINICAL SYMPOSIUM, October 26-29th, 2006, in St. Louis, Missouri at the Hyatt Regency - Union Station (314) 231-1234. Rooms still available on Friday and Saturday October 27 & 28th at hotel and at special rates now through September 20, 2006.

In case of limited rooms at the Hyatt, the Hampton Inn close by has reserved a group of rooms for our seminar attendees. (314) 241-3200. Don't forget to ask for the SOTO-USA rate.

The discount rate for early registration for the symposium is until September 30, 2006 - so sign up NOW and save! Click on the picture above or just go to www.SOTO-USA.org to begin the process of registration.

This year's symposium will be featuring Dr. Steven Olmos who is a leader in TMD co-treatment. We will have other presenters who will be discussing multiple co-treatment models for conditions such as forward head posture (FHP) and its relationship to both the fields of dentistry and chiropractic. Chiropractors are looking for dentists so they can refer patients to like-minded practitioners treating TMD. This is symposium is an excellent place to network and share.

 Steven Olmos, DDS
 Featured Speaker

Dr. Olmos has been in private practice for more than 23 years, 18 years of which he has concentrated on interdisciplinary treatment of TMJ disorders. Recognizing the need for expertise beyond general dentistry, Dr. Olmos has pursued additional education and certifications.

Dr. Olmos is an international lecturer and has developed a recognized TMD Residency program. He has given numerous courses on anatomy (gross and neuro), orthotic design and indications, physical therapy modalities, x-ray interpretation, trigger point and prolotherapy injections, and electronic diagnostic equipment (Joint Vibration Analysis, JT, EMG).

Dr. Olmos • TMD & Sleep Education Programs 


 The effect of condyle fossa relationships on head posture.
 Olmos SR, Kritz-Silverstein D, Halligan W, Silverstein ST.

Although it is commonly accepted that there is an interrelationship between the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and head posture, few, if any, previous studies have quantified this effect. The purpose of this study is to quantify the effect of a change in the condyle fossa relationship of symptomatic temporomandibular joints on head posture.

Improvement in the condyle fossa relationship was related to decreased forward head posture. This suggests that optimizing mandibular condyle position should be considered in the management of forward head posture (adaptive posture).

Cranio. 2005 Jan;23(1):48-52. click here 


 Influence of body posture in the prevalence of craniomandibular dysfunction
 Fuentes R, Freesmeyer W, Henriquez J.

Postural alterations of the shoulders, dorsal spine and hips could have an influence on the development of craniomandibular dysfunctions. The aim was to study the influence of body posture on the prevalence of craniomandibular dysfunction. One hundred thirty six dental students and 41 patients assisting to the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) clinic at the Freie Universitat at Berlin, were studied.

Among students, a relationship between postural alterations of the shoulders and the sensibility or pain while palpating the TMJ, was observed. When all muscles were considered, a significant relationship between asymmetric shoulders or hips and muscular pain while palpating was observed among students.

Rev Med Chil. 1999 Sep;127(9):1079-85. click here 


 Reflex control of the spine and posture: a review of the literature from a chiropractic perspective.
 Morningstar MW, Pettibon BR, Schlappi H, Schlappi M, Ireland TV

This review details the anatomy and interactions of the postural and somatosensory reflexes. We attempt to identify the important role the nervous system plays in maintaining reflex control of the spine and posture. We also review, illustrate, and discuss how the human vertebral column develops, functions, and adapts to Earth's gravity in an upright position.

It is quite apparent from the indexed literature we searched that posture is largely maintained by reflexive, involuntary control. While reflexive components for postural control are found in skin and joint receptors, somatic graviceptors, and baroreceptors throughout the body, much of the reflexive postural control mechanisms are housed, or occur, within the head and neck region primarily. We suggest that the postural reflexes may function in a hierarchical fashion

Visual and vestibular input, as well as joint and soft tissue mechanoreceptors, are major players in the regulation of static upright posture. Each of these input sources detects and responds to specific types of postural stimulus and perturbations, and each region has specific pathways by which it communicates with other postural reflexes, as well as higher central nervous system structures.

Chiropr Osteopat. 2005 Aug 9;13:16. click here 


 Combined effect of vestibular and craniomandibular disorders on postural behaviour.
 Monzani D, Guidetti G, Chiarini L, Setti G.

A correlation has been reported in the dental literature between temporomandibular disorders and musculoskeletal abnormalities, however, the question whether they modify body postural sway remains controversial. In the present investigation, the Craniomandibular Index was used to evaluate the clinical extension of temporomandibular joint dysfunction and related problems in 40 patients with normal vestibular function and in 42 patients with peripheral vestibular disorders.

The results demonstrated that craniomandibular alterations could produce moderate postural instability in patients with a normal vestibular function. Conversely, their association with peripheral vestibular disorders becomes a real challenge to the upright quiet stance probably due to a negative effect of somatosensory origin on the vestibulo-spinal reflex impairment.

Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2003 Feb;23(1):4-9. click here 


 Oral squamous cell carcinoma: an atypical presentation mimicking temporomandibular joint disorder
 Jensen A, Nolet PS, Diwan MA

A 50-year-old female presented to a chiropractic clinic with left jaw pain consistent with temporomandibular joint disorder. Examination revealed a large ulcerated mass on the posterolateral margin of the tongue which was later diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common of the oral cancers. These cancers are often detected late making treatment more complicated and reducing the chance of survival. In the early stages squamous cell carcinoma can be asymptomatic.

Symptoms can be similar to that of temporomandibular joint disorder making examination of the patient’s mouth important to rule out oral cancers. Oral cancers should be considered when patients present to a chiropractor with pain in the area of the temporomandibular joint

Risk factors such as chronic tobacco and alcohol use should raise concern in these patients. Suspicious lesions should be referred immediately for further investigation.

J Canadian Chiro Association 2004; 48(4):266–272. click here for full text 


 Vertebral Osteomyelitis Caused by Prevotella (Bacteroides) Melaninogenicus
 Mukhopadhyay, Surabhi MD; Rose, Fredrick MD; Frechette, Vincent MD

A 35-year-old, previously healthy female presented with severe low back pain, fever, and a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate 1 week after a routine dental cleaning.

Technetium-labeled leukocyte scanning and magnetic resonance imaging scan of the spine were negative for osteomyelitis. The patient underwent biopsy, cultures from which grew Prevotella (Bacteroides) melaninogenicus. Appropriate antibiotic therapy resulted in resolution of symptoms.

P melaninogenicus is a Gram-negative anaerobic bacillus that is part of the indigenous oral flora. It may cause dental, sinus, skin, and soft tissue infections. Infection of bone is rare.

Only three cases of vertebral osteomyelitis due to P melaninogenicus have been reported in the literature. The early diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis requires a high index of clinical suspicion and cannot be excluded by negative imaging tests alone. The recovery of this unusual organism highlights the importance of requesting anaerobic cultures of biopsy specimens.

Southern Medical Journal. Feb 2005; 98(2):226-228. click here 


Sacro Occipital Technique Organization - USA is a non-profit, professional organization formed to promote the awareness, understanding and utilization of the Sacro Occipital Technique method of chiropractic as founded and developed by Dr. Major Bertrand DeJarnette.

Interdisciplinary co-treatment of TMD is an important part of SOTO-USA's focus since TMD is a complex condition. For the chiropractor this necessitates their understanding of the descending influences of occlusion, condylar position and airway disorders on posture. For the dentist this involves gaining an awareness of ascending postural influences on craniomandibular function helping to guide treatment prior to making any permanent occlusal or condylar modifications.

Thank you for your dedication and interest, I hope to see you at this year's symposium.


Charles Blum, DC
Sacro Occipital Technique Organization - USA

phone: 310-392-9795
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