Occlusal Force in Children

Abstract

     Management of occlusion, which is one theme in the long-term dental care of children, must consider development of oral function. We investigated the occlusal force of caries-resistant children with normal occlusion using occlusal indicating wax, and followed their development. The occlusal force increased with age, as the thickness of the wax after occlusion decreased.
     These findings suggest that occlusion of deciduous dentition changes over time. Without proper management, even normal, caries-free children may develop unstable occlusion.