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.