Correlates and Comparability of Two Devices for Measuring Bite Force in Dentate Health Volunteers

Objective: This study aimed to correlate the bite/occlusal force measurements obtained through two methods: a hydraulic pressure gauge with a biting transducer (GM-10), and a computer-assisted device that records occlusal force on a pressure-sensitive film (Prescale II).

Methods: Healthy, dentate volunteers were recruited. Participants' demographic data included age, sex, number of teeth present, presence of oral pain, history of prior orthodontic treatment and presence of parafunction. Bite/occlusal force measurements were recorded for each participant using the GM-10 and the Prescale II devices. Linear Mixed-effect model regression was performed with the significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: Forty-six volunteers (women = 25, men = 21; mean-age = 30.9 ± 9.3 years) participated. 54.3% and 34.8% presented with 28 and 29-32 teeth, respectively. 60.9% and 26.1% of the participants reported previous orthodontic treatment and oral parafunction. The overall mean GM-10 measurements recorded were 333.0 ± 192, 276 ± 167, 208 ± 134, 142 ± 103 Newtons, for the 2nd and 1st molars, 2nd and 1st premolars, respectively. GM-10 measurements were associated with the tooth position (p < 0.001) and the number of teeth (p < 0.001). The mean Prescale II measurements obtained with and without filter were 826 ± 594 and 1049 ± 595 Newtons, respectively, which were positively correlated with the occlusal contact area (r = 0.765; p < 0.001) and GM-10 (r = 0.245; p = 0.019). The regression analysis for dependent repeated data confirmed the significant effect of the GM-10 measurements (bite force) and the occlusal contact area on the Prescale II measurements.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the correlation between bite force measurements carried out by GM-10 and Dental Prescale II was low and may not be considered interchangeable methods. The maximum bite force measured in isolated point contacts was a predictive factor of the occlusal force distributed over the entire arch. Further studies are warranted to explore this influence in the clinical implications of these findings.