Evaluation of molar and incisor bite force in indigenous compared with white population in Brazil.
The purpose of this study was to determine maximum bite force in molar and incisor regions in young Brazilian indigenous individuals, who have had a natural diet since birth, and compare the sample with white Brazilian individuals. To do this, individuals were paired one-to-one (same weight, height, and Class I facial pattern). A secondary purpose was to elucidate the relation between bite force and gender in both populations. Eighty-two Brazilians took part in this study. Participants were aged between 18 and 28 years and were divided into two groups: 41 Xingu indigenous individuals and 41 white Brazilian individuals, with 28 men and 13 women in each group. The inclusion criteria were: having complete dentition; normal occlusion; no neurological, psychiatric or movement disorders; no reports of toothaches; having satisfactory periodontal health; absence of large facial skeletal alterations (typical Class II and Class III individuals); and no previous treatments using occlusal splints. To measure maximum bite force, a digital dynamometer model IDDK (Kratos-Equipamentos Industriais Ltda, Cotia, São Paulo, Brazil) was used, with a capacity of 1000N, adapted for oral conditions. Assessments were made in the first molar (right and left) and central incisive regions. Results reveal that mean maximum bite forces in indigenous individuals of the right molar is 421N, left molar 429N and incisor region is 194N and for white individuals of the right molar is 410N, left molar 422N and incisor region is 117N. Comparing indigenous with white individuals, maximal bite force showed a tendency of being greater in the indigenous group. It was observed that the incisor region showed statistical significance (p<0.0005) but no significance was observed in the molar region. Moreover, indigenous men showed the highest bite force values.
Regalo
Simone Cecilio Hallak
SC
School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida do Café s/n, Bairro, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto/SP, Brazil. schregalo@forp.usp.br
Santos
Carla Moreto
CM
Vitti
Mathias
M
Regalo
Carlos Alberto
CA
de Vasconcelos
Paulo Batista
PB
Mestriner
Wilson
W
Semprini
Marisa
M
Dias
Fernando José
FJ
Hallak
Jaime Eduardo Cecilio
JE
Siéssere
Selma
S
D001732:Bite Force; D001938:Brazil; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D007199:Indians, South American; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar; D012737:Sex Factors; D044465:White People