A STUDY OF BITE FORCE .1. RELATIONSHIP TO VARIOUS PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

A new device for measuring and recording bilateral bite force in the m olar/premolar region has been developed. Because this new device is el astic and conforms to the occlusal surfaces of the teeth, and because the sensing element is relatively comfortable, it is believed that exp erimental subjects are less reluctant to register true maximal forces than in earlier studies. Potential correlations of maximum bite force to gender, age, weight, body type, stature, previous history of orthod ontic treatment, presence of TMJ symptoms (jaw motion limitation, clic king with pain, or joint pain), or missing teeth were studied in a sam ple of 142 dental students. The mean maximum bite force of the sample was found to be 738 N, with a standard deviation of 209 N. The mean ma ximum bite force as related to gender was found to be statistically si gnificant, while the correlation coefficients for age, weight, stature , and body type were found to be low. Even so, all data scatterplots e xhibited relatively positive relationships. Correlations of maximum bi te force to an earlier history of orthodontic treatment or to the abse nce of teeth were not found. Subjects reporting TMJ symptoms did not e xhibit a significantly different maximum bite force than subjects with out symptoms.