ABSTRACT
AIM: To evaluate the occlusal bite force (OBF) changes 6 months after placement of preformed metal crowns PMCs on primary molars in children. METHOD: Twenty-two subjects (aged 5.08 ± 0.92 years) participated and completed OBF records. Each patient received eight PMCs on their primary molars. OBF was recorded using a battery-operated portable type of OBF gauge at different time intervals: before placement, 1 week-, 1 month-, 2 months-, 3 months-, and 6 months after PMCs placement (T0-T5). A second group consisted of 22 caries-free children matched for age and gender were selected as a control sample and received no dental treatment. OBF was recorded in these subjects at T0 and T5 (6 months after). RESULTS: OBF was reduced the first week after placement of PMCs. However, the OBF was restored and reached its original value at T4. At the 6-month recall visit (T5), maximum occlusal bite force (MOBF) was 148% and 136% of pre-treatment value on right and left sides, respectively. The mean MOBF difference between T5 and T0 was statistically significant (70.83N and 54.67N on the right and left sides respectively, p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: OBF decreased 1 week after placement of PMC restoration and started to increase after 1 month reaching 136-140% of its original value after 6 months.
