Centre and magnitude of vertical forces in complete denture wearers

The aim of this study was to examine the centre and magnitude of a vertical component of occlusal forces in complete denture wearers during several activities using a newly developed method. A lower complete denture was divided into upper and lower parts parallel to the occlusal plane. They were connected by four force transducers which were embedded in the first premolar and the second molar portions on both sides of the denture base. Forces were recorded during tapping, chewing peanuts and raisins, and clenching. The centre and the magnitude of the forces were calculated from forces recorded by the four transducers. The maximum error of the centre was 1 mm, and the maximum error of the magnitude was 4%. The centre was observed between a first molar and the middle of the edentulous dental arch. Maximal mean value of the forces during chewing was 65-110 N.