Maximum bite force among a group of Iraqi children in relation to mandibular growth rotation

Abstract EN

Background : A growing bone is susceptible to deformation resulting from muscle forces acting upon it.

Abnormal force during the growth period can produce abnormal form.

This study was conducted to examine the existence of a correlation between maximum bite force and mandible growth rotation in Iraqi children.

Materials and methods : Maximum bite force was measured among 61 children (22 males and 39 females)by the use of a gnathodynamometer.

Cephalometric lateral views were obtained for each child and traced for measuring mandible rotational angles and distances.

Results : A clear correlation existed between maximum bite force and mandible rotational angles.

In boys the correlation between maximum bite force and mandible rotational angles followed a similar pattern of the total sample.

In girls maximum bite force was directly correlated to the height of the ramous only.

Conclusion : Maximum bite force in children can be used as an indicator for determining the direction of the growth of the mandible.