If you want to measure human bite force in your dental clinic or dental research facility, you may need to purchase a bite force measurement device, also known as a gnathodynamometer. But what kind of dental device do you need?
When reviewing devices that measure bite force, consider the following questions:
Does the bite force measurement device have regulatory clearance for use in a clinical setting?
What technology does it use to measure occlusal force?
Which force units are utilized by the device?
What bite force range is the device capable of measuring?
And most importantly...
What is a Gnathodynamometer?
Gnathodynamometers are used by dentists and dental researchers to measure occlusal force, occlusal sequence and/or relative pressure. Some of these devices stand alone, while others work well in tandem.
Some gnathodynamometers are considered “non-medical” because they have not been approved for sale and use in a clinical setting. Other occlusal meters can be safely used in a dental practice to measure patient bite force.
Non-medical devices that measure bite force:
GM10 by Nagano Keiki
The popular GM10 was a hydraulic pressure gauge that measured bite force in Newtons. It was rated accurate to within +/- 1N and had a digital display. The limits of its force measurements were 1000N and the device measured the force of specific bite locations, not the overall or bilateral bite force. DISCONTINUED.
CG Co Prescale System
CG Company’s Prescale System measures bite force in Newtons, occlusal contact area in mm2 and bite pressure in MPa. It uses pressure-sensitive sheets and analytic equipment to read the results. Users must keep the sheet film in a light resistant container and the results must be analysed the same day.
MPX5700 by Motorola
While some dental research has been done using the MPX5700, it is an air pressure sensor and not designed to measure bite force.
MPM 3000 by Nihon Koudenshi Co
This device was an occlusal force transducer. It is no longer sold.
Flexiforce by Tekscan
The Flexiforce by Tekscan was designed to measure bite force in small mammals. It is not approved by regulatory bodies for the measurement of human bite force.
Other devices that measure force
Other force meters that are not approved for medical use include LLB series by Fu tek, Series R04 by Mark 10, FG-7000 by Shimpo and the Pad2 by HAENHE.
Medical devices that measure human bite force:
DentoForce 2 by ITL AB
DentoForce is a strain-gauge transducer. It measures bite force up to 1000N and has a digital display. It has been used in dental research.
IDDK
IDDK is a digital occlusal meter that can provide readings in Newtons (N) or Kilograms (KgF). It measures one tooth at a time, not total or bilateral force.
T-Scan by Tekscan
The T-Scan has been used by many dental clinics and researchers as an aid in finding occlusal contact points and sequences. T-Scan measures real-time occlusal sequences and can record occlusal force sequences in video format in 2 or 3D. It also shows the percentage of occlusal relative force (%) on each tooth relative to the total force. It does not measure absolute overall or bilateral bite force.
The T-Scan can be used in tandem with the Innobyte to provide accurate assessments of force sequences, relative force, and absolute force. See this webinar by Dr. Rosario Prisco of the University of Foggia for details. [In Italian. Use YouTube’s auto-cc/auto-translate to generate English subtitles.]
OccluSense by Bausch
Like the T-Scan, the OccluSense is used to measure the sequence of relative occlusal force, including the first point of contact. It was recently introduced onto the market in 2019. Bite force data from the OccluSense must be connected from the recording handle to an iPad before it can be viewed or interpreted.
Innobyte by Kube Innovation
Innobyte is a digital gnathodynamometer that measures total or bilateral bite force in newtons (absolute force). It is a stand-alone, hand-held occlusal meter that does not require software or computer integration. Innobyte measures bite force using a patent-pending fluid force measurement, and the results are shown on the device’s LED display. Innobyte can measure human bite force up to 5000 N.
Innobyte can be used alone or in tandem with the T-Scan to provide a holistic view of dental health. Together, the T-Scan and Innobyte provide biometric data on human bite force, relative force, and occlusal sequence.
For further reading
See how bite force measurements are used by dental researchers by viewing our Scientific Database.
Resources:
Verma TP, Kumathalli KI, Jain V, Kumar R. Bite Force Recording Devices - A Review. J Clin Diagn Res. 2017 Sep;11(9):ZE01-ZE05. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2017/27379.10450. Epub 2017 Sep 1. PMID: 29207848; PMCID: PMC5713870. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5713870/
Webinar: “The Chewing Force” by Dr. Rosario Prisco and Teethan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or5MfQiAXMU&t=2155s