The aims of this investigation were to study the relation between facial morphology and bite force at different ages during growth and to investigate possible relations between bite force and the variables age, finger force, stature, and sex in growing healthy individuals. One hundred and thirty-six individuals were included, consisting of six groups of males and females, 7-9, 10-12, and 20-24 years old. Standardized photographs were taken to determine the facial type. The occlusal relationship, body height, finger force, maximal bite force, and bite force endurance amplitude were recorded. All bite force variables and finger force increased with age in both sexes. A positive correlation was found between the maximal bite force in the incisor region and the ratio of upper to lower facial height; this is, subjects with a high bite force had a relatively short lower anterior height. The maximal bite force for molars and endurance amplitude were positively correlated to stature and finger force but not to facial characteristics. A longitudinal study to follow each individual child during growth would be of interest to evaluate the importance of muscular influence on facial growth.

Forty-five individuals with long-standing facial pain or headache of muscular origin were randomly allocated into three groups. The first group was treated with acupuncture, the second group received an occlusal splint, and the third group served as controls. Both acupuncture and occlusal splint therapy significantly reduced subjective symptoms and clinical signs from the stomatognathic system. No differences between these two groups were found with regard to treatment effects. It is concluded that acupuncture is an alternative method to conventional stomatognathic treatment for individuals with craniomandibular disorders of muscular origin.

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