engleski

Maximum voluntary molar bite force in subjects with normal occlusion

The aim of this investigation was to determine whether the stabilization of maximal voluntary molar bite forces (MVBF) occurs between 15 and 18 years of age in subjects with a normal occlusion, and to assess the influence of gender, body mass index (BMI), morphological occlusion and jaw function measured by the number of occlusal contacts, overjet, overbite, maximal mouth opening, mandibular deflection during opening, sagittal slide between the retruded contact position (RCP) and the intercuspal position (ICP), and number of dental restorations. The sample comprised 60 Caucasian subjects with neutral occlusion, balanced facial profile and absence of previous orthodontic history aged 15 (30 subjects – 15 males and 15 females) and 18 (30 subjects – 14 males and 16 females) years. The measurements of bite forces were undertaken using a portable type of occlusal force gauge on both left and right side of the jaw in the first molar region during few seconds of maximal clenching. Two independent samples t-test and multiple regression were used for statistical analysis. MVBF were age- and gender-related (p<0.05). Males showed significant increase in bite force between the age of 15 and 18 years (p=0.002), and gender differences were significant only in age 18 (p=0.003). In subjects with neutral occlusion MVBF could be best predicted in multiple regression from age and gender. Regression model accounts for 31.3% variance of MVBF (p=0.031), with gender contributing in 17.9% and age 7.9%. Parameters of morphological occlusion and jaw function, and BMI in model explain the remaining 5.5% of variance. While controlling for all other parameters independent contribution of gender to prediction of MVBF is 16.2%, age 6%, number of occlusal contacts 3.2% and BMI 1.3%.

maximum voluntary bite force; normal occlusion; body mass index

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