Maximal voluntary occlusal bite force in young adult men -a pilot study

Background: Maximal voluntary occlusal bite force (MVOBF) is the maximal force applied by the jaw muscles in dental occlusion. MVOBF is one parameter for functional capacity of the jaw system. Aim: To evaluate MVOBF in different positions in the bite and to evaluate possible intra-individual differences between sessions. Methods: MVOBF was measured with an electronic bite force device, with transducers sensitive to force, in 20 healthy men (mean 24.5 years). Eligibility of participants was full dental occlusion, Angle Class I relation, no diagnosis according to Diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders. The test included three repeated measurements on each site: first molar right, first molar left and central incisor, in random order, with test-retest study design. Unpaired T-test was used to test the MVOBF in different positions in the bite and paired T-test for possible intra-individual differences between sessions. A post hoc test for repeated measure one-way ANOVA was added. Results: MVOBF in different positions in the bite was lower in the incisor area compared with the molar region (P<0.0001), but similar between right and left molar side (P=0.48 and P= 0.96, respectively). No intra-individual differences between sessions (molar right P= 0.40; molar left P= 0.81; incisor area P= 0.66). The intra-individual variability for repeated measurements showed variability for incisor area (P= 0.007), but not for molar right and left region (P=0.95 and P=0.49, respectively). Conclusion: The results may provide reference values for MVOBF in young adult men, to be compared with men with pain or dysfunction in the jaw system.