Measurement of the Maximum Occlusal Bite Force and its Relation to the Caries Spectrum of First Permanent Molars in Early Permanent Dentition

Objective: To determine the maximum occlusal bite force (MOBF) of the complete spectrum of dental caries
in first permanent molars (FPMs) in children aged 7-9 years. Study design: A cross-sectional study was
conducted on 123 children. The evaluation of the caries spectrum of FPMs was carried out using the Caries
Assessment Spectrum and Treatment index (CAST). The MOBF was measured in the FPM region using
the portable occlusal force gauze. Independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance test were
performed to compare MOBF with CAST scores of FPMs. Based on the CAST scores, FPMs were categorized
into three groups, group 1: healthy (score 0, 1, 2), group 2: premorbid (score 3), group 3: morbid (score 4,
5). Results: A significantly lower MOBF was observed (167.56 N ± 49.77) in the morbid stage (group 3) than
in the premorbid stage (group 2: 291.57 N ± 56.64), and healthy (group 1; 320.93 N ± 54.23). Intergroup
comparison also revealed that FPMs in the healthy stage was associated with a higher bite force compared
to those in the premorbid and morbid stages (p<0.001). Conclusions: The mean MOBF decreased with the
progression of the caries spectrum of FPMs in early permanent dentition.