Bite force and occlusal load in healthy young subjects--a methodological study.

This study compares a new technique (Dental Prescale System) using pressure-sensitive foils for recording of maximal jaw closing force with a conventional clinical measurement using a miniature force transducer in 17 students. For assessment of load distribution the "pressure" image was superimposed on digitiZed images of dental casts and compared with clinical registrations of tooth contact. The bite force recorded with foil was systematically higher than that recorded by conventional measurements. Further more teeth were assessed as being loaded than having clinical occlusal contact. The new technique seems promising, although time consuming.