Occlusal force distribution on the dental arch during various levels of clenching.

The purpose of this study was to explore the occlusal force distribution on the dental arch in the intercuspal position and to evaluate the relationship between the clenching strength and the occlusal force distribution. These variables were recorded using the Dental Prescale System in 16 healthy young adults. The number of tooth contacts, occlusal force and occlusal contact area increased linearly as clenching strength increased. The distribution of the occlusal force was greatest at the molar region followed by the premolar and anterior teeth region. The proportion of occlusal force (occlusal force at each region/total occlusal force) on molar regions increased as clenching strength increased. On the contrary, the proportion of occlusal force on the premolar and anterior teeth regions decreased as clenching strength increased. These findings suggest that control of occlusal force is important in diagnosis of the nature of occlusal contacts.