Comparisons of occlusal force according to occlusal relationship, skeletal pattern, age and gender in Koreans

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the occlusal force and contact area and to find its associating factors in Koreans. Methods: Occlusal force and contact area in maximum intercuspation were measured using the Dental Prescale® system in 651 subjects (15 with normal occlusion, 636 with various malocclusions divided into subgroups according to the skeletal pattern, Angle's molar relationship, age and gender). Results: Occlusal force of the normal occlusion group (744.5 ± 262.6 N) was significantly higher than those of the malocclusion group (439.0 ± 229.9 N, p < 0.05). Occlusal force was similar regardless of differences in ANB angle or Angle's molar classification, however the increase in vertical dimension significantly reduced occlusal force (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Occlusal force was significantly lower in the malocclusion group compared to the normal occlusion group, and in females compared to males, but it was not affected by age, antero-posterior skeletal pattern or molar classification. Although a hyperdivergent facial pattern indicated lower occlusal force compared to a hypodivergent facial pattern, the differences in skeletal pattern were not the primary cause of its decrease, but a secondary result induced by the differences in occlusal contact area according to the facial pattern.