Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
Measuring Maxillary Posterior Tooth Movement: A Model Assessment using Palatal and Dental Superimposition
Published on: February 23, 2024
Clinical measurement of maximal mouth opening in children: a pioneer method
1Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Government Dental College, Rohtak. drarun922@gmail.com
Insights
Maximal mouth opening (MMO) in Indian children aged 3-5 years increases with age, height, and weight. No significant gender differences were observed in MMO for this age group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Anthropometry
- Oral Health Research
Background:
- Maximal mouth opening (MMO) is a crucial indicator of oral health and function in children.
- Limited data exists on MMO norms for Indian children within the 3-5 year age range.
- Understanding factors influencing MMO is essential for diagnosing and managing oral conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normative data for MMO in Indian children aged 3 to 5 years.
- To investigate the correlation between MMO and demographic factors like age, gender, height, and body weight.
Main Methods:
- Maximal mouth opening (MMO) was measured using a modified Vernier Caliper in healthy Indian children aged 3-5 years.
- Measurements were taken between the incisal edges of the upper and lower incisors at the painless limit.
- Age, gender, height, and body weight were recorded for each participant.
Main Results:
- Mean MMO values were recorded for boys and girls across ages 3, 4, and 5 years.
- Significant positive associations were found between MMO and age, height, and body weight.
- No statistically significant gender-based differences in MMO were observed.
Conclusions:
- Normative data for MMO in Indian children aged 3-5 years were established.
- Age, height, and body weight are significant determinants of MMO in this population.
- These findings contribute to the anthropometric database for pediatric oral health assessment.
Objectives:
To determine the maximal mouth opening (MMO) in children aged 3 to 5 years from Indian population and to examine the possible influence of age, gender, height and body weight on MMO.
Study Design:
Assessment of MMO is accomplished with a modified Vernier Caliper by measuring the distance between the incisal edge of upper and lower incisor during maximal mouth opening up to the painless limit. Participants of the study were healthy children selected among regular students from local schools. Age, gender height and body weight of each child were also recorded at the same time.
Results:
The results of the present study revealed that MMO in Indian children were 41.61 mm, 44.9 mm and 46.81 mm for boys and 40.09 mm, 44.22 mm and 46.2 mm for girls at age of 3, 4 and 5 years respectively. Further significant associations were noted in between age, height, body weight and MMO. However no gender difference was observed.
Conclusion:
A definite relationships exist between MMO, age, height and body weight in Indian children with primary dentition.
