Relationship between oral status and maximum bite force in preschool children

A Novel Technique to Accurately Measure Mouth Opening Using 3D Electromagnetic Articulography

The mouth opening is an important indication of the functionality of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Mouth opening is usually evaluated by asking the patient to open their mouth as wide as possible and measuring the distance between the edges of the frontal incisors with a ruler or caliper. With the advancement of technology, new techniques have been proposed to record mandibular movement. The aim of this work is to present a novel technique based on 3D electromagnetic articulography and data postprocessing to analyze the mouth opening considering distances, trajectories, and angles. A maxilla-mandible phantom was used to simulate the mouth opening movement and fixed position mouth opening. This was recorded using the AG501 3D EMA (Carstens Medizinelektronik GmbH, Bovenden, Germany). The collected data was processed using Matlab (Mathworks, Natick, MA, USA). Fix and mobile mouth opening of 1, 2, 3 and 4 cm were simulated. It was possible to evaluate the mandibular opening through the vertical distance, the Euclidean distance, the trajectory, and the opening angle. All these values were calculated and the results were consistent with expectations. The trajectory was the highest value obtained while the vertical distance was the lowest. The angle increased as the mouth opening increased. This new technique opens up new possibilities in future research since oral opening can be analyzed using multiple variables without the need to use different devices or depending on the researcher’s experience. This will make it possible to establish which parameter presents significant differences between groups of patients or between patients who have undergone some treatment.

The Relationship between Dentofacial Vertical Pattern and Bite Force Distribution among Children in Late Mixed Dentition

Background: Digital bite measurement systems such as the T-Scan III allow for the computerized measurement of occlusal force distribution. This study aimed to establish the relationship between dentofacial vertical pattern and bite force distribution among children in late mixed dentition. Materials and Methods: In total, 86 children (45 male, 41 female) aged between 9 and 11 years with short (n = 28), medium (n = 28), and long (n = 30) facial heights were included in this study. The height, weight, age, and gender were recorded. Occlusal bite force distribution and time of occlusal cycle were recorded using a T-Scan III device (Tekscan Corp. Boston, MA, USA). The bite force distribution was compared among facial types using a One-Way ANOVA and post hoc test, a linear regression model with time of occlusion as dependent variable was developed. Results: No significant differences were observed in occlusion time between genders. Children with long facial height had a significantly lower anterior bite force distribution (p < 0.05) and significantly higher posterior bite force distribution (p < 0.05) than those with average or short facial height. Age, gender, height, and weight had no significant association with time of the occlusal cycle. Conclusion: Children with an increased vertical facial height have a more posterior distribution of force than children with average or short facial heights in the late mixed dentition.

Bite force changes after surgical correction of mandibular prognathism in subjects with increased vertical dimension : A prospective clinical trial

PURPOSE

Occlusal bite force (OBF) is the most important parameter in assessing biting efficiency. The aim of this study was to record OBF changes after surgical correction of high angle maxillary/mandibular (Max/Mand) class III patients and to compare these with that recorded in class III patients with average Max/Mand angle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Initially included were 42 patients with severe class III skeletal malocclusion who were scheduled for orthodontic surgery: group 1-22 patients with increased vertical relationship scheduled for bimaxillary surgery; group 2-20 patients with average vertical relationship scheduled for mandibular setback only. OBF measurements before surgery (T0), at debonding (T1) and at least 3 months after debonding (T2) were recorded using a portable occlusal force gauge. The following were also measured: maximum OBF (MOBF) achieved by the subject on each side, averaged OBF on each side (AOBF) and maximum OBF at the incisal region (MIOBF). At T2, only 33 patients (group 1: 17 and group 2: 16) were included in the analysis due to loss to follow-up.

RESULTS

MOBF increased significantly in group 1, while no significant changes were detected in group 2. MIOBF increased after surgical correction in both groups. Significant increase in MIOBF was observed at T1 (P < 0.001) followed by an insignificant decrease during the observation period (3-6 months after treatment; P > 0.05). The two groups differed significantly in MOBF at T1 and T2, while no statistically significant differences were detected between the groups for MIOBF changes at the various time intervals (P > 0.05). The number of posterior teeth with occlusal contacts increased in both groups. Relapse was detected in group 1 where the number of posterior teeth in contact decreased during the observation period (T1-T2).

CONCLUSION

OBF greatly improved after surgical correction of the vertical morphology. Correction of high angle mandibular prognathism improves oral function in addition to esthetics.

Mastication in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Studies have shown that changes in mastication are related to overweight in children and adolescents as these changes influence the increase in food consumption. The objective of this article was to characterize, through a systematic review, the mastication in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. For this, two independent authors performed a systematic review of the electronic databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, Web of Science and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences. Masticatory characteristics were considered as primary outcomes; the methods of analyzing mastication, the physical characteristics of the foods/materials used in the analyses and the fasting time were considered as secondary outcomes. This review was prepared in accordance with the items of the preferential reports for systematic analysis and meta-analysis. The systematic review protocol was submitted to the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews. Nine articles were included in this review. The reviewed articles suggest that children and/or adolescents with overweight or obese present masticatory damages because they have worse masticatory performance and altered orofacial myofunctional characteristics.

Comparative study of molar and incisor bite forces regarding deciduous, mixed, and definitive dentition

OBJECTIVE

To compare maximum incisor (MBFinc) and molar (MBFmol) bite forces regarding the type of dentition and sex and to establish a relationship between them.

METHODS

One hundred-five individuals were divided into 3 groups: G1 - 22 females/13 males (4-5 years); G2 - 15 females/20 males (11-12 years); and G3 - 16 females/19 males (17- 18 years). The maximum bite force was recorded with an extraoral measuring device. Three measurements were recorded: right and left molar level (MBFmol) and incisor level (MBFinc). The ratio %MBFinc/MBFmol was determined.

RESULTS

MBFmol and MBFinc values increased with age (p < 0.05). MBFmol showed statistically higher values than MBFinc (p < 0.05), when compared within the same group.

CONCLUSION

MBFinc and MBFmol increased with age. For all groups, MBFmol showed higher values than MBFinc, and %MBFinc/MBFmol ratio was 1:2. No differences were found in maximum bite force between sexes.

Changes in occlusal bite force following placement of preformed metal crowns on primary molars in 4-6 years old children: a 6 months' follow-up pilot study

AIM

To evaluate the occlusal bite force (OBF) changes 6 months after placement of preformed metal crowns PMCs on primary molars in children.

METHOD

Twenty-two subjects (aged 5.08 ± 0.92 years) participated and completed OBF records. Each patient received eight PMCs on their primary molars. OBF was recorded using a battery-operated portable type of OBF gauge at different time intervals: before placement, 1 week-, 1 month-, 2 months-, 3 months-, and 6 months after PMCs placement (T0-T5). A second group consisted of 22 caries-free children matched for age and gender were selected as a control sample and received no dental treatment. OBF was recorded in these subjects at T0 and T5 (6 months after).

RESULTS

OBF was reduced the first week after placement of PMCs. However, the OBF was restored and reached its original value at T4. At the 6-month recall visit (T5), maximum occlusal bite force (MOBF) was 148% and 136% of pre-treatment value on right and left sides, respectively. The mean MOBF difference between T5 and T0 was statistically significant (70.83N and 54.67N on the right and left sides respectively, p < 0.000).

CONCLUSION

OBF decreased 1 week after placement of PMC restoration and started to increase after 1 month reaching 136-140% of its original value after 6 months.

Descriptive analysis of the masticatory and salivary functions and gustatory sensitivity in healthy children

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to better understand salivary and masticatory characteristics, this study evaluated the relationship among salivary parameters, bite force (BF), masticatory performance (MP) and gustatory sensitivity in healthy children. The secondary outcome was to evaluate possible gender differences.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and sixteen eutrophic subjects aged 7-11 years old were evaluated, caries-free and with no definite need of orthodontic treatment. Salivary flow rate and pH, total protein (TP), alpha-amylase (AMY), calcium (CA) and phosphate (PHO) concentrations were determined in stimulated (SS) and unstimulated saliva (US). BF and MP were evaluated using digital gnathodynamometer and fractional sieving method, respectively. Gustatory sensitivity was determined by detecting the four primary tastes (sweet, salty, sour and bitter) in three different concentrations. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney/t-test, Spearman correlation and multiple regression analysis, considering α = 0.05.

RESULTS

Significant positive correlation between taste and age was observed. CA and PHO concentrations correlated negatively with salivary flow and pH; sweet taste scores correlated with AMY concentrations and bitter taste sensitivity correlated with US flow rate (p < 0.05). No significant difference between genders in salivary, masticatory characteristics and gustatory sensitivity was observed. The regression analysis showed a weak relationship between the distribution of chewed particles among the different sieves and BF.

CONCLUSIONS

The concentration of some analytes was influenced by salivary flow and pH. Age, saliva flow and AMY concentrations influenced gustatory sensitivity. In addition, salivary, masticatory and taste characteristics did not differ between genders, and only a weak relation between MP and BF was observed.

The effect of chewing exercise in preschool children on maximum bite force and masticatory performance

BACKGROUND

Mastication is a developing function affected by various factors. There is a need for further research on methods of promoting masticatory function in young children.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of gum chewing exercise on the maximum bite force (MBF) and the masticatory performance of preschool children.

DESIGN

The study population included 98 preschool children age 4-6years. MBF was measured by Occlusal Force-Meter(®) , and masticatory performance values were evaluated by using the colour-changeable chewing gum. The examinations were performed four times with an interval of 4weeks. An exercise group of 70 subjects was instructed to chew the exercise gum twice daily for 5min during a 4-week period. The chewing gum used for this study was specially developed with the physical property of maintaining hardness during chewing. A control group of 28 subjects was instructed not to chew any gum during the study period.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between the exercise group and the control group in MBF and a* values at the start of the study. After 4weeks of chewing exercise, MBF and a* values were significantly increased in the exercise group compared with those of the control group. These increases were maintained for 4weeks after exercise had finished.

CONCLUSIONS

Gum chewing exercise is effective to increase MBF and a* values of preschool children and the effects are maintained after exercise completion.