Effect of adenoid hypertrophy and adenoidectomy on bite force in children: Twelve month follow-up, case-control study.

OBJECTIVE

The effects of adenoid hypertrophy (AH) and adenoidectomy on maximal bite force (MBF) in patients were evaluated by comparing them with healthy controls.

METHODS

A total of 118 children diagnosed with AH and undergoing adenoidectomy (Group A), and healthy controls (Group B) were included. The MBF and nasopharyngeal airway passage distance (NAPD) were recorded.

RESULTS

There was a correlation between NAPD and MBF at the beginning of the study (r = -0.675 and p < 0.001). The initial mean MBF of Groups A and B were 318.37 ± 70.76 N and 344.04 ± 64.14 N, respectively (p = 0.041). However, there was no significant difference between the groups due to the increase in the MBF of Group A at 12 months (p = 0.165).

CONCLUSION

The MBF may be negatively affected in proportion to decreased NAPD, and it could also be an indicator for monitoring the status of children with AH.