Bite Force and Influential Factors on Bite Force Measurements: A Literature Review

 

PDF Download Permissions and Reprints

Maximum voluntary bite force is an indicator of the functional state of the masticatory system and the level of maximum bite force results from the combined action of the jaw elevator muscles modified by jaw biomechanics and reflex mechanisms. The measurement of bite force can provide useful data for the evaluation of jaw muscle function and activity. It is also an adjunctive value in assessing the performance of dentures. Technological advances in signal detection and processing have improved the quality of the information extracted from bite force measurements. However, these measurements are difficult and the reliability of the result depends on a number of factors, such as presence of pain and temporomandibular disorders, gender, age, cranio-facial morphology, and occlusal factors. In addition to these physiological factors, recording devices and techniques are important factors in bite force measurement. Therefore, one should be careful when comparing the bite force values reported in the research. (Eur J Dent 2010;4:223-232)

• References

• 1 Bakke M. Bite force and occlusion. Semin Orthod 2006; 12: 120-126
  CrossrefGoogle Scholar
• 2 Fernandes CP, Glantz PJ, Svensson SA, Bergmark A. A novel sensor for bite force determinations. Dent Mater 2003; 19: 118-126
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 3 Calderon Pdos S, Kogawa EM, Lauris JR, Conti PC. The influence of gender and bruxism on the human maximum bite force. J Appl Oral Sci 2006; 14: 448-453
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 4 Ferrario VF, Sforza C, Zanotti G, Tartagilia GM. Maximal bite force in healthy young adults as predicted by surface electromyography. J Dent 2004; 32: 451-457
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 5 Castroflorio T, Bracco P, Farina D. Surface electromyography in the assessment of jaw elevator muscles. J Oral Rehabil 2008; 35: 638-645
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 6 van der Bilt A, Tekamp FA, van der Glas HW, Abbink JH. Bite force and electromyograpy during maximum unilateral and bilateral clenching. Eur J Oral Sci 2008; 116: 217-222
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 7 Braun S, Bantleon HS, Hnat WP, Freudenthaler JW, Marcotte MR, Johnson BE. A study of bite force, part 1: Relationship to various physical characteristics. Angle Orthod 1995; 65: 367-372
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 8 Braun S, Bantleon HP, Hnat WP, Freudenthaler JW, Marcotte MR, Johnson BE. A study of bite force, part 2: Relationship to various cephalometric measurements. Angle Orthod 1995; 65: 373-377
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 9 Castelo PM, Bonjardim LR, Pereira LJ, Gavião MBD. Facial dimensions, bite force and masticatory muscle thickness in preschool children with functional posterior crossbite. Braz Oral Res 2008; 22: 48-54
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 10 Ingervall B, Minder C. Correlation between maximum bite force and facial morphology in children. Angle Orthod 1997; 67: 415-422
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 11 Pereira LJ, Gaviao MBD, Bonjardim LR, Castelo PM, van der Bilt A. Muscle thickness, bite force, and cranio-facial dimensions in adolescents with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction. Eur J Orthod 2007; 29: 72-78
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 12 Farella M, Bakke M, Michelotti A, Rapuano A, Martina R. Masseter thickness, endurance and exercise-induced pain in subjects with different vertical cranio-facial morphology. Eur J Oral Sci 2003; 111: 183-188
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 13 Shinogaya T, Bakke M, Thomsen CE, Vilmann A, Sodeyama A, Matsumoto M. Effects of ethnicity, gender and age on clenching force and load distribution. Clin Oral Invest 2001; 5: 63-68
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 14 Pereira-Cenci T, Pereira LJ, Cenci MS, Bonachela WC, Del B, El Cury AA. Maximal bite force and its association with temporomandibular disorders. Braz Dent J 2007; 18: 65-68
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 15 Bakke M, Holm B, Jensen BL, Michler L, Moller E. Unilateral, isometric bite force in 8-68 year old women and men related to occlusal factors. Scand J Dent Res 1990; 98: 149-158
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 16 Shinogaya T, Bakke M, Thomsen CE, Vilmann A, Matsumoto M. Bite force and occlusal load in healthy young subjects -a methodological study. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2000; 8: 11-15
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 17 Waltimo A, Könönen M. A novel bite force recorder and maximal isometric bite force values for healthy young adults. Scand J Dent Res 1993; 101: 171-175
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 18 Bonakdarchian M, Askari N, Askari M. Effect of face form on maximal molar bite force with natural dentition. Arch Oral Biol 2009; 54: 201-204
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 19 Olthoff LW, van der Glas W, van der Blit A. Influence of occlusal vertical dimension on the masticatory performance during chewing with maxillary splints. J Oral Rehabil 2007; 34: 560-565
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 20 Pizolato RA, Gavião MBD, Berretin-Felix G, Sampaio ACM, Junior AST. Maximal bite force in young adults temporomandibular disorders and bruxism. Braz Oral Res 2007; 21: 278-283
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 21 Braun S, Freudenthaler JW, Hönigle K. A study of maximum bite force during growth and development. Angle Orthod 1996; 66: 261-264
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 22 Ferrario VF, Sforza C, Serrao G, Dellavia C, Tartagilia GM. Single tooth bite forces in healthy young adults. J Oral Rehabil 2004; 31: 18-22
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 23 Wichelhaus A, Hüffmeier S, Sander FG. Dynamic functional force measurements on an anterior bite plane during the night. J Orofac Orthop 2003; 64: 417-425
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 24 Kleinfelder JW, Ludwig K. Maximal bite force in patients with reduced periodontal tissue support with and without splinting. J Periodontol 2002; 73: 1184-1187
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 25 Takeuchi N, Yamamoto T. Correlation between periodontal status and biting force in patients with chronic periodontitis during the maintenance phase of theraphy. J Clin Periodontol 2008; 35: 215-220
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 26 Alkan A, Keskiner I, Arici S, Sato S. The effect of periodontitis on biting abilities. J Periodontol 2006; 77: 1442-1445
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 27 Williams WN, Low SB, Cooper WR, Cornell CE. The effect of periodontal bone loss on bite force discrimination. J Periodontol 1987; 58: 236-239
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 28 Morita M, Nishi K, Kimura T, Fukushima M, Watanabe T, Yamashita F, Zhou R, Yang J, Xu X. Correlation between periodontal status and biting ability in Chinese adults population. J Oral Rehabil 2003; 30: 260-264
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 29 Laurell L, Lundgren D. Periodontal ligament areas and occlusal forces in dentitions restored with cross-arch bilateral end abutment bridges. J Clin Periodontol 1985; 12: 850-860
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 30 Kogawa EM, Calderon PS, Laurus JRP, Araujo CRP, Conti PCR. Evaluation of maximal bite force in temporomandibular disorders patients. J Oral Rehabil 2006; 33: 559-565
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 31 Sonnesen L, Bakke M, Solow B. Temporomandibular disorders in relation to cranio-facial dimensions, head posture and bite force in children selected for orthodontic treatment. Eur J Orthod 2001; 23: 179-192
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 32 Pereira LJ, Pastore MG, Bonjardim LR, Castelo PM, Gavião MBD. Molar bite force and its correlation with signs of temporomandibular dysfunction in mixed and permanent dentition. J Oral Rehabil 2007; 34: 759-766
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 33 Cosme DC, Baldisserotto SM, Canabarro Sde A, Shinkai RS. Bruxism and voluntary maximal bite force in young dentate adults. Int J Prosthodont 2005; 18: 328-332
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 34 Lobbezoo F, Lavigne GJ. Do bruxism and temporomandibular disorders have a cause and effect relationship?. J Orofacial Pain 1997; 11: 15-23
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 35 Gibbs CH, Mahan PE, Mauderli A, Lundeen HC, Walsh EK. Limits of human bite strength. J Prosthet Dent 1986; 56: 226-229
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 36 Babic JZ, Panduric J, Jerolimov V, Mioc M, Pizeta I, Jakovac M. Bite force in subjects with complete dentition. Coll Antropol 2002; 26: 293-302
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 37 Lasilla V, Holmlund I, Koivumaa KK. Bite force and its correlations in different denture types. Acta Odontol Scand 1985; 43: 127-132
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 38 Hidaka O, Iwasaki M, Saito M, Morimoto T. Influence of clenching intensity on bite force balance, occlusal contact area, and average bite pressure. J Dent Res 1999; 78: 1336-1344
  Google Scholar
• 39 Kampe T, Haraldson T, Hannerz H, Carlsson GE. Occlusal perception and bite force in young subjects with and without dental fillings. Acta Odontol Scand 1987; 45: 101-107
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 40 Miyaura K, Morita M, Matsuka Y, Yamashita A, Watanabe T. Rehabilitation of biting abilities in patients with different types of dental prostheses. J Oral Rehabil 2000; 27: 1073-1076
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 41 Fontijn-Tekamp FA, Slagter AP, van der Bilt A, Van T, Hof MA, Witter DJ, Kalk W, Jansen JA. Biting and chewing in overdentures, full dentures, and natural dentitions. J Dent Res 2000; 79: 1519-1524
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 42 Ortuð G. A new device for measuring mastication force. Ann Anat 2002; 184: 393-396
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 43 Takeuchi H, Ikeda T, Clark GT. A piezoelectric film-based intrasplint detection method for bruxism. J Prosthet Dent 2001; 86: 195-202
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 44 Linderholm H, Wennström A. Isometric bite force and its relation to general muscle forge and body build. Acta Odontol Scand 1970; 28: 679-689
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 45 Uzeda SQ, Alonso LG, Guimaraes AS, Smith RL. Evaluation of mandibular dynamics and bite force in myofascial pain follow-up. Eur J Anat 2006; 10: 31-36
  Google Scholar
• 46 Baba K, Clark GT, Watanabe T, Ohyama T. Bruxism force detection by a piezoelectric film based recording device in sleeping humans. J Orofac Pain 2003; 17: 58-64
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 47 Floystrand F, Kleven E, Oilo G. A novel miniature bite force recorder and its clinical application. Acta Odontol Scand 1982; 40: 209-214
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 48 Van Eijden TM, Koolstra JH, Brugman P, Weijs WA. A feedback method to determine the three-dimensional biteforce capabilities of the human masticatory system. J Dent Res 1988; 67: 450-454
  Google Scholar
• 49 Van Eijden TM. Jaw muscle activity in relation to the direction and point of application of bite force. J Dent Res 1990; 69: 901-905
  Google Scholar
• 50 Paphangkorakit J, Osborn JW. Effect of jaw opening on the direction and magnitude of human incisal bite forces. J Dent Res 1997; 76: 561-567
  Google Scholar
• 51 Nishigawa K, Bando E, Nakano M. Quantitative study of bite force during sleep associated bruxism. J Oral Rehabil 2001; 28: 485-491
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 52 Schindler HJ, Türp JC, Blaser R, Lenz J. Differential activity patterns in the masseter muscle under simulated clenching and grinding forces. J Oral Rehabil 2005; 32: 552-563
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 53 Tortopidis D, Lyons MF, Baxendale RH. Bite force, endurance and masseter muscle fatigue in healthy edentulous subjects and those with TMD. J Oral Rehabil 1999; 26: 321-328
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 54 Kikuchi M, Korioth TW, Hannam AG. The association among occlusal contacts, clenching effort, and bite force distribution in man. J Dent Res 1997; 76: 1316-1325
  Google Scholar
• 55 Burnett CA, Fartash L, Murray B, Lamey PJ. Masseter and temporalis muscle EMG levels and bite force in migraineurs. Headache 2000; 40: 813-817
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 56 Fogle LL, Glaros AG. Contributions of facial morphology, age, and gender to EMG activity under biting and resting conditions: A canonical correlation analysis. J Dent Res 1995; 74: 1496-1500
  Google Scholar
• 57 Okiyama S, Ikebe K, Nokubi T. Association between masticatory performance and maximal occlusal force in young men. J Oral Rehabil 2003; 30: 278-282
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 58 Sato S, Ohta M, Sawatari M, Kawamura H, Motegi K. Occlusal contact area, occlusal pressure, bite force, and masticatory efficiency in patients with anterior disc displacement of the temporomandibular joint. J Oral Rehabil 1999; 26: 906 -911
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 59 Kumagai H, Suzuki T, Hamada T, Sondang P, Fujitani M, Nikawa H. Occlusal force distribution on the dental arch during various levels of clenching. J Oral Rehabil 1999; 26: 932-935
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 60 Shinogaya T, Tanaka Y, Toda S, Hayakawa I. A new approach to evaluate occlusal support by analyzing the center of the bite force. Clin Oral Investig 2002; 6: 249-256
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 61 Zhang X, Hans MG, Graham G, Kirchner HL, Redline S. Correlations between cephalometric and facial photographic measurements of cranio-facial form. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2007; 131: 67-71
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 62 Shinogaya T, Bakke M, Thomsen CE, Vilmann A, Sodeyama A, Matsumoto M. Effects of ethnicity, gender and age on clenching force and load distribution. Clin Oral Investig 2001; 5: 63-68
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 63 Tortopidis D, Lyons MF, Baxendle RH, Gilmour WH. The variability of bite force measurements between sessions, in different positions within the dental arch. J Oral Rehabil 1998; 25: 681-686
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 64 Van Eijden TM. Biomechanics of the mandible. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med 2000; 11: 123-136
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 65 Waltimo A, Könönen M. Bite force on single as opposed to all maxillary front teeth. Scand J Dent Res 1994; 102: 372-375
  PubMedGoogle Scholar
• 66 Lindauer SJ, Gay T, Rendell J. Effect of jaw opening on masticatory muscle EMG-force characteristics. J Dent Res 1993; 72: 51-55
  Google Scholar
• 67 Mackenna BR, Türker KS. Jaw separation and maximum incising force. J Prosthet Dent 1983; 49: 726-730
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
• 68 Manns A, Miralles R, Palazzi C. EMG, bite force, and elongation of the masseter muscle under isometric voluntary contractions and variations of vertical dimension. J Prosthet Dent 1979; 42: 674-682
  CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar