[Masticatory function in children with orthognathic bite]

A total of 140 children aged 7 to 15 with orthognathic occlusion were examined in accordance with the developed chewing test program in order to assess the efficacy of chewing. Tables of the mean values of the examined parameters were made up with consideration for age. The results evidence that though the general tendency is enhancement of chewing function with age, a decrease of some parameters is observed at the age of 8-10, because of anatomic specificities in this period. The developed method for chewing assessment is simple and rapid and may be widely used in practical dentistry.