Comparative evaluation of bite force in paediatric patients

AIM: The present study aimed at analysing the probable effects of full mouth oral rehabilitation on bite forces at their maximum extent in young paediatric patients with primary as well as mixed dentitions. METHODOLOGY: The present study is one of a kind and explores the maximum bite forces in young children. A statistically significant number of children (n = 30) with a mean age of 6.54 years. About 44.75% were boys and 55.25% were girls. The maximum voluntary bite force was assessed for each participant immediately before treatment and 1 month (3–5 weeks) following completion of the needful dental treatment. The difference in bite force magnitude before and after dental treatment was analysed statistically. In addition, the correlations of key variables including, age, height, weight, BMI, gender and caries severity or dental status with maximum bite force were statistically analysed. RESULTS: The mean maximum bite force for the total sample (n = 30) prior to treatment was found to be 167.83 N (SD = 65.20). The mean bite force in the male subgroup was 175.39 N (SD = 64.69) while for the females the mean bite force was equal to 166.29 N (SD = 68.93). Following comprehensive dental treatment, the recorded mean maximum bite force for the children (n = 30) who attended the post-treatment review appointment was 182.60 N (SD = 68.58). CONCLUSION: The essential factors such as the extent of dental caries, their severity, presence of clinical signs and symptoms has a negative impact on maximum bite force.