A recent study used the Innobyte bite force measurement device to:
Assess the normal bite force range for healthy adult males and females
Assess any correlation between Maximum Bite Force (MBF) and factors such as TMD, bruxism, overbite, and overall general strength
The study was conducted using the InnobyteTM digital gnathodynamometer, which is approved by regulatory bodies to measure human bite force in a clinical and research setting.
Ustrell-Barral M, Zamora-Olave C, Khoury-Ribas L, Rovira-Lastra B, Martinez-Gomis J. Reliability, reference values and factors related to maximum bite force measured by the Innobyte system in healthy adults with natural dentitions. Clin Oral Investig. 2024 Oct 31;28(11):620. doi: 10.1007/s00784-024-06014-5. PMID: 39482396; PMCID: PMC11527963. |
Study design:
101 dental students were assessed for a variety of factors, including age, gender, past orthodontic treatment, craniofacial morphology, dental occlusion and general strength (as assessed with a handgrip dynamometer). Self-reported bruxism and TMD symptoms were also assessed:
To assess bruxism symptoms, a new variable named ‘possible sleep/awake bruxism’ summed the results of the first, third, and fourth questions of the OBC questionnaire, which relate to the frequency of clenching and/or grinding the teeth (1)
To assess TMD symptoms, results from the questionnaires TMD-PS and JFLS were dichotomized
Study Findings
Normal Human Bite Force Ranges
As measured by the Innobyte, the study found that normal MBF in young adults with natural dentitions ranged from 510 to 940 N (median 750 N).
When distributed by gender, normal values ranged from 490 to 880 N (median 670 N)
for females and 530 to 1000 N (median 810 N) for males. (Figure 1)
Correlation between Maximum Bite Force and Bruxim, Overbite and General Strength
The study found that in young adults with natural and healthy dentitions, the variables overbite, general strength, and self-report bruxism most closely related to the MBF measured on an Innobyte device.
[Study Excerpt]
Individuals who were self-rated as moderate-to-frequent bruxers had an 8%–10% (or 64 N) higher MBF than those who rated themselves non- or mild-bruxers, after controlling for general strength and overbite. These results complement evidence that self-reported bruxers have an increased MBF in the incisor region (2) and that individuals with bruxism use higher bite forces for a given submaximal load than controls (3).
The higher MBF shown by individuals with bruxism could suggest a “training effect” if the increased muscular activity results in stronger muscles (4,5); indeed, in some individuals, bruxism could improve masticatory function.
However, more research is needed to elucidate which type of bruxism (sleep vs awake, clenching vs grinding, and self-report vs clinical vs instrumental-based diagnoses) provides benefits, and on which aspects of masticatory function. This could be added to other putative benefits of bruxism, such as stress relief, preventing upper airway collapse in obstructive sleep apnea, increasing salivary flow, improving bone mineral density, and slowing cognitive decline.(6)
About bite force and dental research
Existing dental research indicates that Maximum Bite Force (MBF) affects masticatory performance, and can be used as an objective measurement of masticatory function.
MBF values can indicate improvements post-prosthodontic treatment
MBF values can indicate the effects of neurodegenerative and musculoskeletal diseases
Study authors state that Innobyte’s design – which allows for bilateral measurement of the maximum bite force – can reduce fear of damage or inhibition due to periodontal receptors. As a result, the bilateral Innobyte allows for a stronger bite force to be exerted and measured – “in fact higher than with other devices.” (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
Read the Study:
For the complete study and list of study sources, visit:
Reliability, reference values and factors related to maximum biteforce measured by the Innobyte system in healthy adults with natural dentitions
Lobbezoo F, Ahlberg J, Glaros AG, Kato T, Koyano K, Lavigne GJ, de Leeuw R, Manfredini D, Svensson P, Winocur E (2013) Bruxism defined and graded: an international consensus. J Oral Rehabil 40:2–4. 10.1111/joor.12011
Dıraçoğlu D, Alptekin K, Cifter ED, Güçlü B, Karan A, Aksoy C (2011) Relationship between maximal bite force and tooth wear in bruxist and non-bruxist individuals. Arch Oral Biol 56:1569–1575. 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2011.06.019
Mäntyvaara J, Sjöholm T, Kirjavainen T, Waltimo A, Iivonen M, Kemppainen P, Pertovaara A (1999) Altered control of submaximal bite force during bruxism in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 79:325–330. 10.1007/s004210050515
Lyons MF, Baxendale RH (1990) A preliminary electromyographic study of bite force and jaw-closing muscle fatigue in human subjects with advanced tooth wear. J Oral Rehabil 17:311–318. 10.1111/j.1365-2842.1990.tb00014.x
Kiliaridis S, Tzakis MG, Carlsson GE (1995) Effects of fatigue and chewing training on maximal bite force and endurance. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 107:372–378. 10.1016/s0889-5406(95)70089-7
Manfredini D, Ahlberg J, Aarab G, Bracci A, Durham J, Emodi-Perlman A, Ettlin D, Gallo LM, Häggman-Henrikson B, Koutris M, Peroz I, Svensson P, Wetselaar P, Lobbezoo F (2024) The development of the Standardised Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism (STAB): An international road map. J Oral Rehabil 51:15–28. 10.1111/joor.13380
Serra CM, Manns AE (2013) Bite force measurements with hard and soft bite surfaces. J Oral Rehabil 40:563–568. 10.1111/joor.12068
Abu Alhaija ES, Al Z’ubi IA, Al Rousan ME, Hammad MM (2010) Maximum occlusal bite forces in Jordanian individuals with different dentofacial vertical skeletal patterns. Eur J Orthod 32:71–77. 10.1093/ejo/cjp069
Varga S, Spalj S, Lapter Varga M, Anic Milosevic S, Mestrovic S, Slaj M (2011) Maximum voluntary molar bite force in subjects with normal occlusion. Eur J Orthod 33:427–433. 10.1093/ejo/cjq097
Jabr CL, Oliveira LP, Campos LA, Campos JADB, de Oliveira Lima AL, de Assis Mollo Junior F, Filho JNA (2023) Handgrip force and bite force in dentulous and edentulous individuals. J Oral Rehabil 50:664–670. 10.1111/joor.13461
van der Bilt A, Tekamp A, van der Glas H, Abbink J (2008) Bite force and electromyograpy during maximum unilateral and bilateral clenching. Eur J Oral Sci 116:217–222. 10.1111/j.1600-0722.2008.00531.x