11,30 Kogawa et al30 have stated that the most frequent cause for the limiting bite force was TMJ pain. In accordance with these studies, Pizolata et al20 have found a positive correlation between decreased bite force and muscle tenderness, and TMJ pain. In contrast, Pereira-Cenci et al14 have reported things no difference in maximal bite force results between TMDs and healthy control groups. These differences in findings may originate from the severity of the TMDs in patients or different recording techniques. An important etiological factor causing or contributing to TMDs is bruxism, characterized by clenching and/or grinding the teeth.33,34 Gibbs et al35 have compared the bite strength in some bruxists using a gnathodynomometer 12 mm of height in the molar region.
They have reported that bite strength in some bruxists was as much as six times that of non-bruxists. However, Cosme et al33 have measured bite force value with a load transducer with 14 mm distance in molar region in bruxists and non-bruxists. They have concluded that the two had no different maximal bite force values. In these two studies, although the height and properties of transducers are similar, the severity of bruxism and diagnostic techniques may be different. Dental status Dental status formed with dental fillings, dentures, position and the number of teeth is an important factor in the value of the bite force.36 There is a positive correlation between the position and the number of the teeth at both maximal and submaximal bite force.37 The number of teeth and contact appears to be an important parameter affecting the maximum bite force.
The greater bite force in the posterior dental arch may also be dependent on the increased occlusal contact number of posterior teeth loaded during the biting action. For example, when maximum bite force level increased from 30% to 100%, occlusal contact areas double.38 Bakke et al15 have suggested that the number of occlusal contacts is a stronger determinant of muscle action and bite force than the number of teeth. Kampe et al39 have analyzed measurements of occlusal bite force in subjects with and without dental fillings at molar and incisor teeth. The subjects with dental fillings have shown significantly lower bite force in the incisor region. Based on data obtained in that study, they have proposed that it might be hypothetically due to the adaptive changes caused by the dental fillings.
Miyaura et al40 have compared maximum bite force values in subjects with complete denture, fixed partial denture, removable partial denture and full natural dentition groups. Whereas the individuals with natural dentition have shown the highest bite forces, the biting forces have been found to be 80, 35, and 11% for Batimastat fixed partial dentures, removable partial denture and complete denture groups, respectively, when expressed as a percentage of the natural dentition group.