Abstract:

Masticatory function is an essential component of the stomatognathic system and plays a key role in craniofacial development and oral health from early childhood. Maximum bite force (MBF) is a reliable indicator of masticatory system performance and may be influenced by developmental changes during the mixed dentition stage. The aim of this study was to evaluate MBF in children with mixed dentition using a gnathodynamometer and to analyse its variation according to gender and anatomical region. The study included 66 children (42 boys and 24 girls) presenting with fully erupted and functionally occluding permanent first molars and central incisors. MBF was measured in the anterior region and in the right and left posterior regions. The results showed that MBF values were higher in posterior regions compared to the anterior region in both sexes. The lowest values were recorded in the anterior region in girls, while the highest values were observed in the right posterior region in boys. Boys demonstrated significantly higher MBF values than girls, with statistically significant differences in the anterior and right posterior regions. These findings indicate that MBF varies according to anatomical region and gender and reflects functional development during the mixed dentition stage.
Keywords: maximum bite force, gnathodynamometer, mixed dentition