Studies on the Masticatory Movement in Children

Masticatory Patterns in Frontal View

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the masticatory movement in children. A total of 20 normal children from IIA to IIIB according to Hellman's dental age were examined. The mandibular movements studied involved such foods as raisins, chewing-gum, and peanuts and were recorded with the Saphon Visi-Trainer CII.The mastication at each dental age of the children were observed according to classification of the masticatory strokes with each type of food.
The results were as follows:
1. The type of mastication characterized by closing at the working side and opening at the same side was found most frequently (74.8%) with all types.
2. The mastication of children who have primary dentition at IIA (5y6m) was similar to the one in adults.
3. The masticatory pattern for raisins was similar to that for chewing-gum. This pattern concerning both foods in children showed a stability similar to the one in adults.
4. The difference of masticatory patterns between the periods from IIA to IIIA and IIIB was found to be significantry clear. This difference was clearer with raisins than with chewing-gum, but it was not very clear with peanuts.