title: Clinical measurement of maximal mouth opening in children: a pioneer method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the maximal mouth opening (MMO) in children aged 3 to 5 years from Indian population and to examine the possible influence of age, gender, height and body weight on MMO.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assessment of MMO is accomplished with a modified Vernier Caliper by measuring the distance between the incisal edge of upper and lower incisor during maximal mouth opening up to the painless limit. Participants of the study were healthy children selected among regular students from local schools. Age, gender height and body weight of each child were also recorded at the same time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the present study revealed that MMO in Indian children were 41.61 mm, 44.9 mm and 46.81 mm for boys and 40.09 mm, 44.22 mm and 46.2 mm for girls at age of 3, 4 and 5 years respectively. Further significant associations were noted in between age, height, body weight and MMO. However no gender difference was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A definite relationships exist between MMO, age, height and body weight in Indian children with primary dentition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Government Dental College, Rohtak. drarun922@gmail.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dutta
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hooda
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Namdev
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000502:physiology*; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous