Occlusal forces in normal- and long-face children.

In children aged from six to 11 yr, forces of dental occlusion during swallowing, simulated chewing, and hard biting are similar for normal- and long-face individuals. Forces in the normal- and long-face children are similar to those in long-face adults, but are about half those in normal adults. It appears that individuals with the long-face pattern fail to gain strength normally in the mandibular elevator muscles.