Pathologic attrition and maximal bite force.

The maximal bite force was recorded between antagonizing anterior teeth in a group (n = 10) of patients with pathologic attrition and in a control group. No statistically significant difference between the maximal bite forces was recorded. Also, the effect on the maximal bite force of the continuous wearing of a partial bite raising splint for 4 months was recorded. The great individuality in reaction patterns prohibited simple generalizations. However, in some individuals the maximal bite force was larger when biting on the splint than without, both at base line and after 4 months. Also, the maximal bite force showed a tendency to increase with time. The findings indicate that pathologic attrition is not necessarily associated with a high maximal bite force. Also, the maximal bite force recorded under various conditions is seemingly not an absolute value but rather the result of a number of factors of varying importance for different individuals.