Bite Force: Why Does it Matter?
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 6th June 2022
A good bite force is an indicator of the functionality of the masticatory system, especially as it’s supported by the teeth, the mandible, and the maxilla. In fact, in nature, sufficient functionality of the bite is key to survival: if a mammal’s ability to eat is compromised their demise is likely to be imminent.
Who Has it Best?
Mammals and reptiles have a bite force that is integral to their survival and, of course, this varies from species to species depending on their needs. A bite force can be measured by evaluating the pounds per square inch (psi) that they are able to chew.[i] The average strength of a human bite is 162 psi, but when you compare this significantly pales in comparison to rates found in the natural world. The strongest mammal bite on record is the hippopotamus with a psi of 1,500 and following that is the jaguar with a bite force of 1,350 psi. However, when you include reptiles the numbers are even more impressive with the Nile crocodile holding the world record with an astonishing 5,000 psi.
What Can Hinder a Healthy Bite Force?
As previously mentioned, a good bite force is a positive indicator for a healthy masticatory system. However, there are various factors that can impact the functionality of a bite force and sometimes the reasons behind a compromised bite can be more complex than a patient may anticipate.
Cranio-facial Morphology: Due to genetics, the shapes of people’s faces vary greatly and for some people this means they may be challenged by their masticatory functionality.[ii] It has been explained that when the ramus is more vertical and the gonial angle acute, the muscles that work to move the jaw have a greater mechanical advantage. Studies have shown that people with a longer-looking face have exhibited smaller values of bite force which implies that sometimes people’s genetics will play a role in their ability to bite.[iii] [iv] [v]
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) and Pain:ii Signs and symptoms of a TMD are usually joint and muscle pain, limited mouth opening, clicking, and a crackling sound. Measurement of bite force has been used to assess whether patients whom suffer with TMDs will potentially have their bite force compromised. As bite force impacts muscle efficiency and masticatory function it’s been thought that it could be a useful method in understanding just how functional a person’s jaw is and whether TMDs impact this.
Periodontal Support: Of course, healthy teeth are integral to being able to eat well, for instance, but the gingivae need to be healthy too. Research has shown that reduced periodontal support, which could result from conditions such as gingival recession, periodontitis, and gingivitis can compromise the periodontal ligament.ii As the masticatory muscles are controlled by the mechanoreceptors of the periodontal ligament function can reduce over time and therefore be detrimental to the quality of a patient’s bite force.
Dental Status: Dental fillings, dentures, the position of teeth, and the number of teeth a patient has can be an important factor in the value of their bite force. Research indicates that the positioning of teeth and whether a patient has all of their natural teeth or not also impacts the bite force – if, when closing the mouth, most or all of the teeth meet the bite force is generally stronger.ii Therefore, those who suffer from malocclusion are likely to have a lessened bite force compared to those without.
The Impact of Bite Force and Dental Implants
In not every case where patients are missing teeth will a patient have the option to receive implants but many of them may do. Fortunately for the human-race, the threat of death is no longer imminent when bite force, or the functionality of the mouth, is compromised. Due to advancements in dentistry and technology in recent years, dental implants are now a very common solution for patients suffering with, for instance, a missing tooth. Some consequences of missing teeth include supra-eruption, mastication challenges (affecting bite force), and malocclusion, which can lead to a patient having altered speech, loss of self-confidence, becoming insecure about their appearance, and the feeling of bereavement.[vi] You can restore your patients’ smiles with ease by using Implantmed from W&H. This surgical unit has an intuitive touchscreen to ensure your workflow is as efficient as possible and the secure torque control and measurement feature allows for more stable implants. Plus, when used in conjunction with the Osstell Beacon, Implantmed allows the clinician to reliably measure and evaluate implant stability at placement, avoiding some of the risks to osseointegration. The wireless foot control will also mean you’ll work with more ease than ever before. As well as restoring your patients’ smiles, the functionality of their mouth, including bite force, can also be re-established with a top-quality implant.
Overall, bite force can be a great indicator for the quality of health your patient is currently in. While the human race is no longer in danger when their bite force is compromised the side-effects are arguably just as distressing. Implant dentistry has paved the way for restoring people’s smiles and ensuring you have the best equipment can enhance your patients’ satisfaction with their treatment outcomes.
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[i] BBC Science Focus Magazine. (n.d.). Top 10: Which Animals Have the Strongest bite? [online] Available at: https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/top-10-which-animals-have-the-strongest-bite/ [Accessed 21 Jan. 2022].
[ii] Koc, D., Dogan, A. and Bek, B. (2010). Bite Force and Influential Factors on Bite Force Measurements: a Literature Review. European Journal of Dentistry, [online] 4(2), pp.223–232. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2853825/#:~:text=Bite%20force%20is%20one%20indicator [Accessed 21 Jan. 2022].
[iii] Braun, S., Bantleon, H.-P., Hnat, W.P., Freudenthaler, J.W., Marcotte, M.R. and Johnson, B.E. (1995). A Study of Bite force, Part 1: Relationship to Various Physical Characteristics. The Angle Orthodontist, [online] 65(5), pp.367–372. Available at: https://meridian.allenpress.com/angle-orthodontist/article/65/5/367/57217/A-study-of-bite-force-part-1-Relationship-to [Accessed 25 Jan. 2022].
[iv] Bakke, M. (2006). Bite Force and Occlusion. Seminars in Orthodontics, 12(2), pp.120–126.
[v] Ingervall, B. and Minder, C. (1997). Correlation between Maximum Bite Force and Facial Morphology in Children. The Angle Orthodontist, [online] 67(6), pp.415–422; discussion 423-424. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9428959/ [Accessed 25 Jan. 2022].
[vi] Dosumu, O.O., Ogunrinde, J.T. and Bamigboye, S.A. (2014). KNOWLEDGE OF CONSEQUENCES OF MISSING TEETH IN PATIENTS ATTENDING PROSTHETIC CLINIC IN U.C.H. IBADAN. Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine, [online] 12(1), pp.42–48. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4201933/ [Accessed 24 Jan. 2022].
