Bite force measurements with hard and soft bite surfaces

Summary Bite force has been measured by different methods and over a wide variety of designs. In several instruments, the fact that bite surface has been manufactured with stiff materials might interfere in obtaining reliable data, by a more prompt activation of inhibitory reflex mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to compare the maximum voluntary bite force measured by a digital occlusal force gauge (GM10 Nagano Keiki, Japan) between different opponent teeth, employing semi‐hard or soft bite surfaces. A sample of 34 young adults with complete natural dentition was studied. The original semi‐hard bite surface was exchanged by a soft one, made of leather and rubber. Maximum voluntary bite force recordings were made for each tooth group and for both bite surfaces. Statistical analyses (Student's t‐test) revealed significant differences, with higher scores while using the soft surface across sexes and tooth groups (P