Aldo Curiqueo; Carlos Salamanca; Eduardo Borie; Pablo Navarro & Ramón Fuentes
Summary
The Functional maximum bite force (FMMF) is defined as the maximum force generated between the maxillary and mandibular teeth. Therefore, the aim of this research was to obtain real data about the FMMF at a molar, premolar, canine and incisive level in young adult individuals. The study included a sample of 50 individuals between 18 and 25 years old, fully toothed with a skeletal type I and Class I molar and canine profile. The measuring instrument used was a portable force measuring device, making measurements in the molar, premolar, canine and incisive regions. Individuals were instructed to bite the instrument with the greatest possible force, alternating different areas to measure, applying three measurements on each tooth and recording the highest value in each zone. The average of the forces exerted by males was 698, 516, 322 and 220 N, in the molar regions, premolar, canine and incisor, respectively. Furthermore, in females average values of 466, 431, 232 and 174 N were observed in the molar, premolar, canine and incisor regions respectively. It can be concluded that significant differences were observed in the FMMF between the sexes in different regions, identifying the highest values in male subjects in the molar region. In addition, significant differences were identified in the FMMF of males only in the canine region when related to the side of the arch.
KEY WORDS: maximum bite force, young adults, bite.
How to cite this article
CURIQUEO, A.; SALAMANCA, C.; BORIE, E.; NAVARRO, P. & FUENTES, R. Evaluation of functional maximum bite force in Chilean young adults. Int. J. Odontostomat., 9(3):443-447, 2015.