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Bite force measurement in children with primary dentition
Gary Mountain1, David Wood, Jack Toumba
1School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. g.mountain@leeds.ac.uk
Insights
Maximum bite force in young children (3-6 years) varies widely, with measurements ranging from 12.61 N to 353.64 N. This study provides key reference values for pediatric dental practice and research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Understanding bite force in young children is crucial for assessing oral development and function.
- Limited data exists on maximum bite force in the primary dentition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify maximum bite force in children aged 3-6 years with primary dentition.
- To investigate the influence of dental caries and malocclusion on bite force.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 205 children aged 3-6 years from UK primary schools.
- Measured bite force in Newtons (N) bilaterally on primary molars and central incisors using a specialized bite force gauge.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of dental caries was 30.4% and malocclusion was 17.1%.
- Recorded bite forces exhibited significant intra- and inter-individual variation (12.61 N - 353.64 N).
Conclusions:
- Young children's bite forces show considerable variation, aligning with previous limited studies.
- Established reference values are valuable for pediatric dental clinical practice and research.
Objectives:
To determine the magnitude of the biting forces in young children aged 3-6 years in the primary dentition and analyse the potential effects of caries and malocclusion on maximum bite force.
Methods:
Children aged 3-6 years of age attending primary schools within a major city in the UK were recruited to participate in this study. The magnitude of the bite force in Newtons (N) was measured bilaterally corresponding with the 1st and 2nd primary molars and central incisors using a new specifically designed single tooth bite force gauge.
Results:
Two-hundred and five children were included in the study. The prevalence of dental caries and malocclusion was found to be 30.4% and 17.1% respectively. The levels of bite force recorded showed comparatively wide intra- and inter-individual variation with the maximum of the three bite force measurements ranging from 12.61 (N) to 353.64 (N) (M=196.60, SD=69.77).
Conclusion:
Bite forces of young children show comparatively wide intra- and inter-individual variation with some similarities with those found in the limited number of previous primary dentition studies undertaken elsewhere. The results will serve to provide key reference values for use both in paediatric dental clinical practice and wider research community.
