Bite force in children with bruxism

Abstract

The bite force of 51 twelve-year-old bruxists was compared with that of a control group of the same age, in order to establish whether bruxism affects bite force and whether there is any connection between the degree of tooth abrasion and bite force. Criteria for bruxism were bruxo facets in the bite and, in the same children, teeth-grinding at the time of examination. No differences in bite force values for bruxists and non-bruxists were found for either very light bite or maximum bite. One group with dentine facets had a higher bite force value for very light bite than the children with enamel facets. Otherwise there was no difference between the various facet groups regarding the bite force produced.

Key Words:

• Bite force
• bruxism
• child