The relationship between oral status, facial morphology and maximum bite force in preschool children

• Main Authors: Ching-Ming Su, 蘇靜明
• Other Authors: Tien-Yu Shieh
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/33870608496794674759

碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 口腔衛生科學碩士在職專班 === 93 === Abstract Study objective: The purpose of this study was to find the correlation of bite force and associated variable factors, such as age, sex, body height, body weight, caries index, occlusal pattern, tooth contact and maximum mouth opening in 4 to 6 year-old healthy preschool children and evaluates the interrelationship between facial morphology and bite force. Materials and Methods: The subjects were selected from two kindergartens around Kaohsiung County. Total of 201 preschool children (86 boys and 115 girls) aged from 4 to 6 years old were studied. Oral status and occlusal pattern were evaluated and recorded by attentive examination. Bite force was measured twice at the primary molar area and the highest value will be chosen after taking two times on left and right side of each child. Facial morphology was evaluated on profile and check ‘en’ or ‘on’ face photography. Result: The aspect of growing variables of preschool children correlated between boys and girls with bite force, although there was no significant difference, it displayed a significant difference on growing development among three age levels. The oral status variables such as the number of maxillary posterior teeth in contact and maximum mouth opening showed a significant positive correlation with bite force and teeth missing showed a significant negative correlation with bite force. A significant correlation between bite force with facial morphologic variables including positive correlative factors such as chin-facial index and chin index and a negative correlative factor such as mandibular plane angle were also found. Conclusion and suggestions: This was the first comprehensive study to research into the correlation of maximum bite force with oral condition and facial morphology in preschool children. It substitutes cephalometric radiography with photography by using statistical analysis in studying facial morphology. We adopted the ratio and angle related to the facial morphological variables in this research, especially including the chin index and chin-face index which distinguish the interrelationship between lower facial height with bite force. This reduced the errors which are produced in length measures and converted with number values. In addition, we could understand the relationship and influence between the different face types with bite force, and take this opportunity to set up a normal preschool craniumfacial index and database. We will collect and complete normal facial morphological data for all ages in the future. By synthesizing the results of our study, we can find that facial morphological factors are not the overwhelming decisive factor to bite force. Factors such as age, maximum mouth opening and the number of teeth in contact are getting more apparent comparatively in relation to bite force. How to teach children to maintain good oral hygiene and their intact and functional teeth is the goal that relevant professionals make as a joint effort with parents. Key words: Maximum bite force, oral condition, facial morphology, preschool children