Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships between an increase in the bite force (BF) and a variety of factors such as i) chronological and physical development, ii) physical characteristics and motion ability in sports and iii) malocclusion, temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and dental conditions represented by DMFT, dft. The number of children examined in the study were 1992 ranged from 3 yrs to 14 years old.
The results obtained were as follows:
1. The BF increased chronologically with a high positive correlation in both sexes. Significant differences between the sexes were noticed after 5 years of age in both the normal group and the anomaly group with malocclusion and/or TMD, i. e. males likely to show higher bite forces.
2. As an analyzing influence of the physical factors on the BF using normalized partial regression coeficients, the physical development factors, such as statue and body weight were less influential on an increase in the BF, while the grip force in both sexes and 50 m splint abilities factors in the girls were a positive contribution to the BF.
3. Generally there were not any significant differences in the BF between the normal and anomaly groups in both sexes.
4. Malocclusion and TMD showed a negative contribution to the BF in the girls.
5. The normalized partial regression coeficient analysis showed that DMFT+ dft scores made a negative contribution to the BF in both sexes as well.
Current results suggest that chronological and physical development and the physical characteristics and motion ability with significant differences between the sexes are associated with an increase in the bite force.
