Abstract
Biting force measurements and Ricketts' comprehensive descriptive analysis of frontal and lateral cephalograms were made in 60 5-year-old subjects at Hellman's dental stage of IIA in order to study the relationship between the biting force and maxillofacial morphology in children.
The following results were obtained:
1. Mean values of the biting force were 25.8±4.2 for males and 23.5±3.8 kg for females, with a difference between the genders. Mean averages of height and body weight were 110.3±4.1 cm and 18.9±2.0 kg, respectively, with no difference between males and females. No correlation was observed between height and biting force or between body weight and biting force.
2. Significant differences in biting force were noted between the brachyfacial, mesofacial and dolichofacial types. The mean biting force became smaller with a more retruded position of the chin in this order of facial types.
3. Positive correlations were observed between the biting force and the condylar length and between the biting force and the mandibular arc. Positive correlations were also found between the biting force and the ramus height.
4. There existed a negative correlation between the biting force and the amount of mandibular incisor protrusion and a positive correlation between the biting force and the occlusal plane inclination. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between the biting force and the amount of space available posterior to the terminal primary molar for the permanent molars. These results indicated that the biting force in the decidous dention was related to the maxillofacial morphology, the mandible, the mandibular position to the craniofacial complex and the dentition.
