The anterior component of occlusal force. Part 1. Measurement and distribution.

The purpose of this investigation was to design and develop instrumentation to measure the anterior component of occlusal force generated by a single tooth under a known axial load. An additional objective was to quantify the distribution and dissipation of this force as it progressed anteriorly. The anterior component of the occlusal force generated by the left second molar was calculated from frictional force measurements at each contact mesial to the first molars in both dental arches. The distribution of this force and its dissipation were determined for 15 subjects. When a load was placed on the posterior teeth, the anterior component of the occlusal force was found to progress anteriorly through interproximal contacts and not to progress beyond open contacts. The mean magnitude of this force for a conservative occlusal load of 20 pounds was unexpectedly high: 5 pounds against the premolars and 1 pound against the canines. In some subjects this force crossed the dental midline and continued around the arch to the canine of the contralateral side. The distribution and dissipation of the anterior component of the occlusal force anteriorly approximated an exponential decay function.