Masticatory performance and bite force in children with primary dentition

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between masticatory performance and maximum bite force in the primary dentition. The sample comprised 15 children of both genders, aged 3 to 5.5 years, with good systemic and oral health, presence of all primary teeth without large caries, no structural anomalies, without severe malocclusion, and no history of orthodontic treatment. They chewed one standardized silicone tablet for 20 strokes and the median areas of the chewed particles were measured by an optical digital system. Enhanced performance was measured by a decrease in the chewed particle areas and an increase in the amount of chewed particles. The bite force was determined using a transmitter pressurized tube connected to an analog/digital electronic circuit. Weight, height and body mass index (kg/m 2 ) were determined. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Pearson or Spearman's correlations, after assessment of the normality of the distribution by Shapiro-Wilks' W-test. There was no correlation between bite force and particle area and amount (p > 0.05), neither were the body variables correlated with the masticatory variables (p > 0.05). It was concluded that the bite force was not a primary determinant of masticatory performance, and both variables were not dependent on body variables in the studied sample. Descriptors: Mastication; Bite force; Dentition, deciduous.Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a correlação entre performance mastigatória e força de mordida máxima na dentição decídua. A amostra consistiu de 15 crianças de 3 a 5,5 anos de idade, de ambos os gêneros, apresentando boa saúde bucal e sistêmica, com a presença de todos os dentes decíduos, sem cáries extensas, sem anomalias estruturais, sem maloclusão severa e ausência de tratamento ortodôntico. Um tablete de silicone foi mastigado durante 20 ciclos e as áreas medianas das partículas foram mensuradas por um sistema óptico digital. A performance mastigatória foi considerada melhor quanto menor o tamanho das partículas mastigadas e quanto maior o número das mesmas. Para a força de mordida utilizou-se um tubo transmissor pressurizado, conectado a circuito eletrônico analógico/digital. O peso, a altura e o índice de massa corporal (kg/m 2 ) foram determinados. Os dados foram analisados pela estatística descritiva e correlacionados pelo coeficiente de Pearson ou Spearman, após a avaliação da normalidade da distribuição pelo teste de Shapiro-Wilks. Não houve correlação significativa entre a força de mordida e as áreas e o número das partículas (p > 0,05), assim como as variáveis corporais não se correlacionaram com as variáveis mastigatórias (p > 0,05). Concluiu-se que a força de mordida não foi o principal determinante da performance mastigatória na amostra avaliada, e ambas não foram dependentes das variáveis corporais. Descritores: Mastigação; Força de mordida; Dentição decídua.

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Dental Arch Size, Biting Force, Bizygomatic Width and Face Height in Three Colombian Ethnic Groups

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Electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles in women with osteoporosis

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