Quantitative study of bite force during sleep associated bruxism

Abstract

Nocturnal bite force during sleep associated bruxism was measured in 10 subjects. Hard acrylic dental appliances were fabricated for the upper and lower dentitions of each subject. Miniature strain-gauge transducers were mounted to the upper dental appliance at the right and left first molar regions. In addition, thin metal plates that contact the strain-gauge transducers were attached to the lower dental appliance. After a 1-week familiarization with the appliances, nocturnal bite force was measured for three nights at the home of each subject. From the 30 recordings, 499 bruxism events that met the definition criteria were selected. The above described system was also used to measure the maximum voluntary bite forces during the daytime. The mean amplitude of detected bruxism events was 22.5 kgf (s.d. 13.0 kgf) and the mean duration was 7.1 s (s.d. 5.3 s). The highest amplitude of nocturnal bite force in individual subjects was 42.3 kgf (15.6-81.2 kgf). Maximum voluntary bite force during the daytime was 79.0 kgf (51.8-99.7 kgf) and the mean ratio of nocturnal/daytime maximum bite force was 53.1% (17.3-111.6%). These data indicate that nocturnal bite force during bruxism can exceed the amplitude of maximum voluntary bite force during the daytime.

Effect of bidirectional loading on contact and force characteristics under a newly developed masticatory simulator with a dual-direction loading system

“…Because the present custom-made masticatory simulator was also designed to possess a range of adjustable features, including magnitude of loading/chewing force and chewing frequency, the role of a wide range of clinically relevant parameters in the force characteristics on new dental materials can be tested under the most mimicking condition of complex intra-oral masticatory forces. For example, it is possible to determine the effect of forces, from physiologic chewing forces of 10-120 N 18,[26][27][28] to more excessive parafunctional bite forces associated with bruxism and clenching of approximately 200-800 N 15,29) , on fracture resistance of a material of interest. However, a number of other factors, such as moisture, temperature and pH, also influence the mechanical properties and behavior of materials in the oral cavity 30,31) .…”

A preliminary study on the treatment of bruxism by biofeedback therapy

“…Then the data were sent to the analysis and vibration device in wireless mode. When information was accepted, meanwhile comparing with the threshold, when the value is exceeded the threshold for 3 seconds [5], the therapeutic instrument would vibrate to wake patients. The vibration equipment was designed for the wrist wearable, so that patients in sleep can sense the vibration if the value exceeded the threshold during sleep, thus awakened to relax the masticatory muscles and nervous system and stop the abnormal tooth movement.…”

Development of wireless bruxism monitoring device based on pressure-sensitive polymer composite

“…Nishigawa et.al. [10] measured the bite force using a strain-gauge transducer incorporated a bite-guard. This device was an analogue pressure sensor with electrical wires connected out of the mouth during sleep.…”