title: A study of maximum bite force during growth and development.
abstract: Bilateral bite force was measured in a sample of 457 subjects (231 males and 226 females) from 6 years through 20 years. The mean maximum bite force was found to increase from 78 Newtons at 6 to 8 years to 176 Newtons at 18 to 20 years. While earlier studies have shown adult males have a greater mean bite force than females, this difference is not evident during growth and development. Gender-related bite force difference likely develops during the postpubertal period in association with greater muscle mass development in males.
authors.affiliation: University of Chicago, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Hnat
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Freudenthaler
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Marcotte
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hönigle
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000502:physiology; D001732:Bite Force; D002648:Child; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000502:physiology; D024510:Muscle Development; D011627:Puberty; D012737:Sex Factors; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000502:physiology; D014159:Transducers