Bite Force Measurement in Children with Primary Dentition

Abstract

BACKGROUND
 This study intended to compute the maximum bite force in the primary dentition of the young children (3-6 years old) and examine the possible influences of caries, malocclusions (such as crossbite and bruxism), and other factors on maximum bite force. We wanted to ascertain the extent of biting forces in young children's primary dentition, aged three to six, and examine the impact of several factors, including the subjects' gender, caries, crossbite, and bruxism, on the maximum bite force in this study.
 METHODS
 Children within the age group of 3-6 years were selected from nearby schools. A dental examination was done for caries and malocclusion. The subjects were asked to bite on the unit consisting of a force sensor wedged between wooden sticks wrapped in a polyethylene sheet, 3 times on each side (posteriors) and on anterior teeth with maximum bite force and then the mean value was taken.
 RESULTS
 502 subjects between the age group of 3-6 years were included in the study. The levels of bite force recorded showed that there was a significant difference in all three teeth standardized for the bite force measurement in the four groups included (p<0.001). The maximum bite force of the posterior teeth was 351.5N seen in the control group, in the caries group (281.7N), crossbite (181.1N), and bruxism (250.2N).
 CONCLUSIONS
 Bite forces in primary dentition showed comparatively wide intra- and inter-individual variation. For both boys and girls, there was no discernible variation in the maximal bite force, however maximum bite force in children with caries and bruxism had significant differences compared to the control group. No significant difference in bite forces was seen in children having crossbite and non-crossbite sides.