Occlusal forces in prosthetically restored dentitions: a methodological study.

The present paper describes a method developed to study occlusal forces in prosthetically restored dentitions. Using this method the magnitude, duration and frequency of the forces can be measured in various parts of the dentition simultaneously. The measurements are based on the use of strain gauge transducers of such dimensions that they can be mounted into artificial crowns, bridge-pontics or removable dentures, without interfering with the occlusion. The output signal of each transducer is linear for forces up to 300 N which corresponds to an amplitude (elastic deformation) of 20 microns. At least four transducers are used distributed over the tooth-arch to create bilateral and simultaneous contacts. They are mounted in a supraoccluding position of 20 microns in relation to non-transducer areas. This means that on jaw closure each transducer registers all the force transmitted to that part of the prosthetic construction represented by the transducer, provided there is no force leakage to non-transducer areas. The sum of these local forces constitutes the total force acting on the entire dentition at any given moment.