Comparison of bite force on the dominant and nondominant sides of patients with habitual unilateral chewing: a pilot study.

Occlusion and chewing-side preference (CSP) are complex aspects of the stomatognathic system. The present study aimed to record the difference in bite force between the dominant and nondominant chewing sides of patients with a CSP. A sample of 95 subjects (aged 20-35 years) with established CSPs was selected. Measurements of bite force on both sides of the jaw were recorded while the subjects were seated in an upright, forward-looking, unsupported natural position. The recordings of each subject were accomplished in a single session with a portable customized bite recording sensor, and the maximal voluntary bite force (MVBF) value was recorded in newtons. The MVBF data were compared in pairs (dominant vs nondominant side; men vs women; and age < 30 vs ≥ 30 years) with independent-samples t tests. The combined mean (SD) MVBF for men and women was 694.73 (110.47) N on the dominant chewing side and 507.20 (86.76) N on the nondominant chewing side. In the male group, the mean MVBF was significantly greater (P < 0.0001) on the dominant chewing side (755.73 N) than on the nondominant chewing side (548.10 N). Similarly, in the female group, the mean MVBF was significantly greater (P < 0.0001) on the dominant chewing side (620.95 N) than on the nondominant chewing side (457.74 N). Furthermore, the differences between the male and female dominant sides and between the male and female nondominant sides were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in bite force between the age groups (P > 0.05).