A validation study of a new instrument for low cost bite force measurement

Abstract

Quantitative assessment of force in masticatory muscles is not a routine clinical test, probably due to the lack of an “easy-to-use” device. Aim of this study is (1) to present a low cost bite force instrument located in a custom-made housing, designed to guarantee a comfortable and effective bite action, (2) to evaluate its mechanical characteristics, in order to implement it in clinical settings and in experimental setups. Linearity, repeatability and adaptation over time were assessed on a set of four different sensors in bare and housed condition. Application of the housing to the transducer may appreciably alter the transducer's response. Calibration of the housed transducer is thus necessary in order to correctly record real bite force. This solution may represent a low cost and reliable option for biting force measurement and objective assessment of individual force control in the scientific and clinical setting

Alterations in jaw clenching force control in people with myogenic temporomandibular disorders

“…Two circular metal pucks on both sides of the sensitive area of each force sensor (9.7 mm diameter) provided correct force transmission. The force measuring device had a total thickness of 7 mm, width of 20 mm and length of 15 mm [29].…”

“…Piezoresistive sensors, like those used, present with a certain drift related to the time of continuous loading. Their drift was ascertained in a laboratory test which showed less than 1% drift after 4 minutes of continuous loading with 390 N [29], which is of negligible clinical relevance.…”

The influence of contact area between implant and its adjacent teeth on finite element analysis

“…A longitudinal axial load of 120 N was applied to the cusp of the second premolar and 150 N was applied to the cusp of the second molar. A device for measuring the bite force is designed based on Testa's test [12], as shown in Fig. 2(a), which verified the finite element model of Fig.…”

The Maximum Bite Force for Treatment Evaluation in Severely Affected Adult SMA Patients—Protocol for a Longitudinal Study

“…The use of a thin piezoelectric force sensor, the Flexiforce A201 (Tekscan, Boston, MA, USA), guaranteed minimal jaw separation (Figure 1): Featuring a load range of 440 N and a sensitivity of 0.01 V/N and a thickness of 0.2 mm, it can serve as a validated, low cost device to measure bite force in SMA patients in a clinical setting. Forces exerted on its sensing area, 1 cm diameter in size, cause a change of the sensor's conductance, generating an electric current which can be amplified with a digital recorder (21,29). The reliability of piezoelectric sensors is given as 93% (30).…”

“…The combination of T-Scan sensor foil and I-Scan software has been successfully applied in preliminary studies (32,33). Though less cost-efficient than unilateral bite force measurement via the Flexiforce sensor (29), this safe, straightforward clinical application may be an attractive alternative in the case of larger patient groups.…”