Endurance tests of the masticatory system on different bite force levels

Endurance tests of the masticatory system were performed in three different groups of healthy volunteers in order to investigate the relation between bite force and endurance time on different force levels. The subjects clenched a bite fork until exhaustion. Some tests were performed with and others without visual feedback of the exerted force. It was found that the subjects could sustain the maximal bite force practically at the same level during the recording time with visual feedback. The exerted force varied during the non-feedback recordings and generally decreased on the forceful levels. The average endurance time increased at lower bite force levels and the relation between force and endurance time is described. The average integrated time-force areas did not differ between the test levels. It is concluded that endurance tests in the clinic may be performed on submaximal bite force levels.