The normal range of maximal incisal opening in pediatric population and its association with physical variables

Abstract

Background: Restricted mouth opening is a common complaint in patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders, ankylosis, impaired masticatory muscle function, rheumatic disease, infection, or malignancy. As with any disease, the aim of treatment of disorders affecting mouth opening is to restore the mouth opening to its normal value. It is thus of paramount importance to determine the normal value. Objective: To establish the normal range of maximal incisal opening (MIO) in children aged 4 to 15 years and to investigate the correlation between MIO and age, gender, height, and body weight. Materials and Methods: Six hundred and two children from various schools in Bengaluru, India, participated in the study. The children were divided into the following age groups: 4–5, 6–7, 8–9, 10–11, 12–13, and 14–15 years. MIO for the children was recorded using Therabite ® scale. The measurements of MIO were then correlated with gender, body weight, and height of the children in different age groups. Results: It was observed that MIO gradually increased with age with a mean MIO of 41.34 mm at 4–5 years to a mean MIO of 51.73 mm at 14–15 years. The mean MIO value for males (48.90 ± 6.49 mm) was found to be higher when compared to that of females (46.17 ± 5.58 mm). The results indicated a strong positive correlation of MIO with height and weight. Conclusion: MIO gradually increased with age in both the genders, and a strong positive correlation of MIO with height and weight was observed.

Maximum Mouth Opening of Children in Newari Population of Bhaktapur

“…On analysis of results, the mean MMO in the present study showed a gradual increase with age with a mean MMO of 33.18 mm at 3-5 years to a mean MMO of 45.30mm at 12-14 years. This is in agreement with the findings of previous studies [13][14][15][16][17] conducted in pediatric population. However, the mean MMO values recorded in each age group in this study varied when compared to those of other studies.…”

Growth curves for mandibular range of motion and maximum voluntary bite force in healthy children

“…Most studies on the topic of mandibular range of motion and bite force in children are cross-sectional or retrospective in character, and measure subjects at only one point in time [17,18,20,50]. The longitudinal aspect of this study strengthens our results because growth curves incorporated individual growth over 1 year.…”

“…Several studies show the value of bite force measurements in the assessment of mandibular function [5,[13][14][15][16]. Values of range of motion and bite force and their change over time in healthy young children and adolescents might be helpful in the recognition of potential temporomandibular sequelae due to medical and dental conditions [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. In order to appraise these outcome measures in clinical patients, data from nonpatient groups of children and adolescents are mandatory.…”

Preoperative Arterial Coil Embolization for Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Surgery in Children with TMJ Ankylosis

“…However, in children, there are normal limit MIO variabilities based on age, height, and weight. 13,14 Follow-up interval was defined as the time from surgery to the most recent outpatient visit.…”