Comparative Evaluation of Occlusal Bite Force in Relation to the Muscle Activity in the Mixed Dentition Children of Age Group 9–12 Years: A T-scan Analysis
Aim and objective: Compare and evaluate the muscle activity and the occlusal force between the mixed dentition boys and girls of 9–12 years.
Materials and methods: The study included 15 boys and 15 girls. The occlusal force and activity of the masseter and temporalis muscle were measured with a T-scan device using a sensor, a module to transmit the signals to a computer and the complete data of the bite force and muscle activity with the EMG recordings and data were collected and evaluated.
Results: Relative occlusal force in the primary and permanent molars between the boys and girls showed no significant difference on the left side compared to the right. The electromyography values of masseter and temporalis in boys and girls showed a significant difference in which (TAR and MMR), (TAR and MML), (TAL and MMR), and (TAL and MML) are significant. The overall paired sample statistics showed higher muscle activity in masseter.
Conclusion: T-scan analysis has proved to be a dependable method for the evaluation of occlusal bite force with the muscle activity interpretation using EMG. This study concluded that there is a difference in the occlusal pattern and muscle activity in the mixed dentition that showed the maximum force was on the permanent molars and the symmetry of EMGs activity in children was on the right masseter comparatively with higher bite values in boys compared to girls.
Clinical significance: T-scan is a computerized analysis system that helps in the proper assessment of the patient's occlusion and assists in the proper treatment planning and diagnosis accurately without much effort.
Subramaniam P, Girish Babu KL, Ifzah. Evaluation of occlusal forces in different stages of children – an exploratory study. Saudi J Oral Sci 2018;5:11–16.
Owais AL, Shaweesh M, Abu Alhaija ES. Maximum occlusal bite force for children in different dentition stages. Eur J Orthod 2013;35(4):427–433.
Calderon Pdos S, Kogawa EM, Lauris JR, et al. The influence of gender and bruxism on the human maximum bite force. J Appl Oral Sci 2006;14(6):448–453.
Louly F, Nouer PR, Janson G, et al. Dental arch dimensions in the mixed dentition: a study of Brazilian children from 9 to 12 years of age. J Appl Oral Sci 2011;19(2):169–174.
Mountain G, Wood D, Toumba J. Bite force measurement in children with primary dentition. Int J Paediatr Dent 2011;21(2):112–118.
Amid R, Ebrahimi N, Kadkhodazadeh M, et al. New device to measurement of maximum bite force. Dentist Case Rep 2018;2(2): 26–29.
Wieczorek A, Loster JE. Activity of the masticatory muscles and occlusal contacts in young adults with and without orthodontic treatment. BMC Oral Health 2015;15(1):116.
Ferrario VF, Sforza C, Miani A Jr, et al. Electromyographic activity of human masticatory muscles in normal young people. Statistical evaluation of reference values for clinical applications. J Oral Rehabil 1993;20(3):271–280.
Pyakurel U, Long H, Jian F. Mechanism, accuracy and application of T-Scan system in dentistry – a review. JNDA 2013;13.
Kerstein RB, Radke J. Masseter and temporalis excursive hyperactivity decreased by measured anterior guidance development. Cranio. 2012;30(4):243–254.
Castelo PM, Pereira LJ, Bonjardim LR, et al. Changes in bite force, masticatory muscle thickness, and facial morphology between primary and mixed dentition in preschool children with normal occlusion. Ann Anatomy 2010;192:23–26.
Sonnesen L, Bakke M, Solow B. Temporomandibular disorders in relation to craniofacial dimensions, head posture and and bite force in children selected for orthodontics treatment. Eur J Orthodont 2001;23:179–192.
Fontijin-Tekamp F, Slagter AP, Van Der Bilt A, et al. Biting and chewing in overdenture, full dentures and natural dentitions. J Dent Res 2001;79:1519–1524.
Bakke M. Bite force and occlusion. Semi Orthodont 2006;12:120–126.
Sonnesen L, Bakke M. Molar bite force in relation to occlusion, craniofacial dimensions and head posture in pre-orthodontic children. Eur J Orthodont 2005;27:58–63.
Braun S, Hnat WP, Freudenthaler JW, et al. A study of maximum bite force during growth and development. Angle Orthodont 1996;66:261–264.
Ferrario V, Sforza C, Zanotti G, et al. Maximal bite force in healthy young adults as predicted by surface electromyography. J Dent 2004;32:451–457.
Lenguas L, Alacarcon JA, Venancio F, et al. Surface electromyographic evaluation of jaw muscles in children with unilateral cross bite and lateral shift in early mixed dentition. Sexual dimorphism. Med Oral Patol Oral Cirbucal 2012;17(6):e1096–e1102.
Varga S, Spalj S, Varga ML, et al. Maximum voluntary molar bite force in subjects with normal occlusion. Eur J Orthodont 2011;33(4): 427–433.