Keywords
first tooth contact - occlusal force distribution - occlusion time - open bite - T-Scan
Introduction
Open bite (OB) is described as the upper and lower teeth being separated when the
jaw is completely closed; OB is rare in the posterior segment[1] and common in the anterior segment.[2] Anterior OB is characterized by a lack of occlusal contact in the anterior region
when all teeth are in centric occlusion.[3]
Several reports have suggested that patients with OB suffer from temporomandibular
disorder (TMD).[4]
[5]
[6] Clinical signs and symptoms of TMD are exhibited among those with anterior OB malocclusion[7]
[8]
[9] and can be reduced after treatment of the malocclusion,[9] with improvements in occlusion, oral function, and esthetics.[10]
Despite controversy regarding the relationship between occlusion pattern and TMD,
the pattern affecting the occlusal forces distributed to the condylar head and articular
disc is affected by the occlusion pattern. Research has shown that the forces are
distributed to the center of the condylar head if all teeth are occluded in the maximum
intercuspation position (MIP). In cases of the unilateral occlusion of posterior teeth
or the occlusion of only anterior teeth, the direction of the force distribution would
be changed. Thus, it can be inferred that dental occlusion affects the direction and
magnitude of forces in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and articular disc.[11] In addition, a unilaterally overloaded occlusal force was seen in TMD patients wearing
fixed dentures with disharmonious interarch relationship.[12]
Aside from the occlusal force distribution, dynamic parameters interested by researchers
investigating masticatory system function include the occlusion time (OT), defined
as the time from the initiation of tooth contact (at self-closure into the subject's
habitual intercuspation) to static intercuspation preceding and registering less force
than reached in the MIP,[13] first tooth contact during mastication, and the time to generate total force (from
1 to 100%).
First tooth contact at the commencement of dental occlusion is important to the function
of the masticatory system. Among subjects with bilateral neutral occlusion, one study
showed first tooth contact in posterior and anterior regions in 44 and 40% of subjects,
respectively,[14] while another reported corresponding values of 18.1 and 77%, respectively.[15] To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports on the first tooth contact
region, OT, and time to generate total force in OB patients. Compared with those without
TMD, patients with TMD showed occlusal forces that were distributed off center, significantly
longer OTs and disclusion times, and several premature contacts. Such longer OTs and
premature contacts might contribute to increased TMJ friction, elevated intraarticular
pressure, and subsequently condylar displacement.[16]
The occlusal contact area plays an important role during mastication, and the reduction
of this area can cause a decrease in performance.[17] Human bite forces vary among tooth regions in the dental arch, with the maximum
force in the first molar area.[18]
[19]
[20] Since anterior teeth in those with anterior OB do not occlude, inappropriate loads
may occur in the posterior region. Additionally, the possible lack of anterior guidance
during occlusion may affect the TMJ status.
Compared with other materials used to record the occlusal contact area,[21] the T-Scan III computerized occlusal analysis system (Tekscan, Massachusetts, United
States) is more reliable and can reveal the patient's occlusal forces, occlusal contact
areas, relative occlusal force distributions, and tooth contact order.[22]
At present, there have been no studies comparing the first tooth contact region, OT,
time to generate total force, and occlusal force distribution between patients with
and without OB using the T-Scan III system. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate
the first tooth contact region, OT, time to generate total force, and occlusal force
distribution at the MIP in orthodontic patients with OB and those without OB using
the T-Scan III system.
Materials and Methods
This study was performed in all new patients who sought orthodontic treatment at the
Naresuan University Dental Hospital between July 2020 and April 2021. The inclusion
criteria were the presence of a normal skeletal bite, seven fully erupted permanent
teeth (except the third molar) in each quadrant, and either at least an area of OB
or no OB. Patients were excluded if they had facial deformity, dental restoration,
current periodontal disease, TMD, or a history of orthodontic treatment.
Patients were divided into the OB and non-OB (NOB) groups (n = 8 for each group). Those in the NOB group were chosen to match those in the OB
group according to Angle's classification and Steiner's analysis of sagittal skeletal
malocclusion.[23]
After measurement of the width of all upper teeth using a digital caliper (Mitutoyo,
Kanagawa, Japan), the data were transferred to T-Scan III software (version 9.1; Tekscan)
to calculate the dental arch dimensions. Each patient's occlusion was digitally recorded
using the T-Scan III system. Prior to the measurement, the patient was seated upright
in a dental chair (with their Frankfort horizontal plane parallel to the floor) and
instructed to practice occluding into the MIP several times with a portable mirror
as a reflecting object. An appropriate sensor was then placed on the occlusal surface
of the maxillary arch. For predetermination, the sensor's sensitivity was adjusted
by limiting only the first three pink high force columns. During the recording procedures,
all patients were asked to occlude into the MIP once for 5 seconds and to repeat this
occlusion process two more times. The data from three occlusions were averaged for
each patient. Data from teeth showing a percentage of contact in the program but without
contact with the opposing teeth were discarded to eliminate incorrect relative occlusal
forces and were not included in the force distribution calculations. This procedure
was conducted to reduce error, if any, from the folded sensor.
Data of first tooth contact were obtained by selecting “first contact” in the program
and by observing the first contact area with a continuous force from occluding the
teeth on the “force & time” graph. First tooth contact was categorized as occurring
in the anterior (canine-to-canine), premolar (first and second premolars), and molar
(first and second molars) regions.
The OT (second) was obtained using the “timing table” in the program from point A
(first tooth contact) to point B (last contact), while the time to generate total
force (1% of total force to 100% of total force) was obtained using the “force & time”
graph.
Force distributions were recorded as percentages for each tooth along the upper arch.
The MIP mode was used to measure relative occlusal forces, the data of which were
shown in two- and three-dimensional images ([Fig. 1]). The relative forces in the MIP were then calculated by summation of the percentages
in the anterior, premolar, and molar regions.
Fig. 1 Two-dimensional (left-sided pictures) and three-dimensional (right-sided pictures)
images of the occlusal force distributions in open bite (A) and nonopen bite (B) patients recorded using the T-Scan III system. All numbers adjacent to the facial
side of the teeth are based on the two-digit system.
All numerical data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
Statistics for Windows, version 23.0 (IBM; New York, United States), and the level
of significance was set at p <0.05. The Shapiro–Wilk test was utilized to confirm the normality assumption. The
mean age, overbite, overjet, OT, and time to generate total force were analyzed by
independent sample t-test, while the mean relative occlusal force distributions were analyzed by the Mann–Whitney
U-test. With respect to the region, the relative force distributions among the anterior,
premolar, and molar regions were evaluated by the Kruskal–Wallis H-test, followed by post hoc comparisons.
Results
[Table 1] shows the characteristics of the patients in the OB and NOB groups. Each group contained
one, two, and five patients with skeletal class I, II, and III malocclusion, respectively.
Angle's class I malocclusion was observed in all patients with skeletal class I and
II malocclusion and one with skeletal class III malocclusion, while Angle's class
III malocclusion was observed in the remaining four patients with skeletal class III
malocclusion. A significant difference (p = 0.010) was detected between the groups in overjet but not age (p = 1.000) or overbite (p = 0.088).
Table 1
Details of each patient in the open bite (OB) and nonopen bite (NOB) groups (n = 8 for each group)
Subject #
|
Skeletal type
|
Angle's classification
|
Gender
|
Age (y)
|
Overbite (mm)
|
Overjet (mm)
|
Region of first tooth contact
|
Occlusion time (s)
|
Time to generate total force (s)
|
OB
|
NOB
|
OB
|
NOB
|
OB
|
NOB
|
OB
|
NOB
|
OB
|
NOB
|
OB
|
NOB
|
OB
|
NOB
|
OB
|
NOB
|
OB
|
NOB
|
OB
|
NOB
|
1
|
1
|
I
|
I
|
I
|
I
|
F
|
F
|
19
|
21
|
+2.0
|
+1.0
|
+4.5
|
+2.0
|
Mo
|
Mo
|
0.49
|
0.24
|
1.10
|
1.86
|
2
|
2
|
II
|
II
|
I
|
I
|
F
|
F
|
11
|
21
|
+3.5
|
+2.0
|
+4.0
|
+2.0
|
Mo
|
P
|
0.27
|
0.45
|
1.82
|
1.08
|
3
|
3
|
II
|
II
|
I
|
I
|
F
|
F
|
15
|
22
|
−1.0
|
+4.0
|
+4.0
|
+4.5
|
Mo
|
A
|
0.57
|
0.39
|
1.73
|
1.81
|
4
|
4
|
III
|
III
|
I
|
I
|
M
|
F
|
14
|
13
|
−1.0
|
+1.0
|
−5.0
|
−1.0
|
Mo
|
P
|
0.24
|
0.47
|
0.63
|
2.71
|
5
|
5
|
III
|
III
|
III
|
III
|
F
|
F
|
14
|
22
|
+1.5
|
+4.0
|
−3.5
|
−2.0
|
Mo
|
A
|
0.84
|
0.67
|
2.22
|
1.89
|
6
|
6
|
III
|
III
|
III
|
III
|
M
|
F
|
15
|
20
|
+1.0
|
+1.5
|
+2.0
|
+1.5
|
Mo
|
P
|
0.52
|
0.74
|
1.12
|
1.61
|
7
|
7
|
III
|
III
|
III
|
III
|
M
|
F
|
17
|
17
|
−5.0
|
+3.0
|
−4.5
|
+2.0
|
Mo
|
P
|
0.42
|
0.32
|
2.13
|
1.43
|
8
|
8
|
III
|
III
|
III
|
III
|
M
|
M
|
21
|
23
|
−1.5
|
+1.5
|
−12.0
|
−2.0
|
Mo
|
A
|
0.57
|
0.79
|
2.80
|
1.55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mean
|
15.75
|
19.88
|
−0.06
|
2.25
|
−1.31
|
0.88
|
|
|
0.49
|
0.51
|
1.69
|
1.74
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SD
|
3.15
|
3.31
|
2.64
|
1.25
|
5.90
|
2.31
|
|
|
0.19
|
0.20
|
0.71
|
0.74
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
p-value[a]
|
1.000
|
0.088
|
0.010
|
|
0.548
|
0.214
|
Abbreviations: A, anterior region; F, female; M, male; Mo, molar region; P, premolar
region; SD, standard deviation.
a Significant difference by independent sample t-test at p <0.05.
First tooth contact in all OB patients was in the molar region, while first tooth
contact occurred in all regions in NOB patients, that is, in the anterior region in
three patients; premolar region, four; and molar region, one ([Table 1]). The OT (seconds) ranged from 0.24 to 0.84 and 0.24 to 0.79 in the OB and NOB groups,
respectively. No significant intergroup difference (p = 0.548) in the OT was found ([Table 1]). The time (seconds) to generate total force ranged from 0.63 to 2.80 and 1.08 to
2.71 in the OB and NOB groups, respectively. No significant difference (p = 0.214) was detected between the groups in the time to generate total force ([Table 1]).
The mean and relative occlusal force distributions in the anterior, premolar, and
molar regions in each group are shown in [Table 2] and [Fig. 1], respectively. In both groups, the force distributions in the molar region were
highest, followed by those in the premolar and anterior regions. Significant differences
(p = 0.000) were detected among all regions, except between the anterior and premolar
regions (p = 0.38) in the NOB group ([Table 2]).
Table 2
Force distributions (%) in each tooth region of the open bite and nonopen bite groups
(n = 8 for each group)
Force distribution (%)
|
Statistics
|
Group
|
p-Value[*]
|
Open bite
|
Nonopen bite
|
Anterior region
|
Mean
|
0.96abc
|
17.82a
|
0.000
|
SD
|
2.24
|
9.60
|
Min
|
0
|
2.80
|
Max
|
6.47
|
29.00
|
Premolar region
|
Mean
|
8.79abc
|
25.40b
|
0.038
|
SD
|
6.50
|
12.51
|
Min
|
0
|
13.23
|
Max
|
17.23
|
53.60
|
Molar region
|
Mean
|
89.98abc
|
56.13ab
|
0.007
|
SD
|
8.27
|
11.78
|
Min
|
75.07
|
38.20
|
Max
|
100
|
73.43
|
|
p-Value[**]
|
<0.05
|
<0.05
|
|
Abbreviations: Max, maximum; Min, minimum; SD, standard deviation.
Note: Similar superscript letters indicate significant intrarow differences by the
Mann–Whitney U-test at p <0.05 and intracolumn differences by the Kruskal–Wallis H-test at p < 0.05.
* Mann–Whitney U-test.
** Kruskal–Wallis H-test.
Significant intergroup differences were found in all regions ([Table 2]). The NOB group had significantly higher force distributions in the anterior (p = 0.000) and premolar (p = 0.0380) regions. In contrast, the OB group had a significantly higher force distribution
in the molar region (p = 0.007).
Discussion
This is the first investigation into the first tooth contact region, OT, time to generate
total force, and occlusal force distribution in OB and NOB patients according to the
anterior, premolar, and molar regions of the dental arch.
This study strove to match patients in the two groups to eliminate confounding factors,
if any, that might affect the occlusal force distribution. Only 8 out of 220 patients
could be categorized into the OB group due to the presence of at least one OB area
and the other inclusion criteria. NOB patients were chosen by matching them with those
in the OB group according to Angle's classification of malocclusion and Steiner's
classification of sagittal skeletal malocclusion. A previous report showed no significant
differences in the force distribution among Angle's classes of malocclusion.[24] The mean age in the OB and NOB groups was 15.75 ± 3.15 and 19.88 ± 3.31 years, respectively,
with a nonsignificant difference (p = 1.000). Instead of the developmental age, the presence of seven fully erupted permanent
teeth (except the third molar) in each quadrant was used as an inclusion criterion
in this study. Theoretically, those teeth are fully erupted at 11.92–14.04 and 11.19–13.81
years of age in males and females, respectively.[25] Taken together, these results illustrate the usefulness of such criteria over the
developmental age for future research, such as ours. There were more females than
males in this study, probably reflecting their greater likelihood of seeking improvement
in oral functional and orofacial esthetics, as well as their greater likelihood of
attempting to receive professional dental care.[26] A significant intergroup difference (p = 0.010) was found in the mean overjet value. In contrast, there was no difference
in the mean overbite value between the groups (p = 0.088), despite a lower mean overbite value being observed in the OB group. This
might be due to the negative overbite values in 50% of the OB patients.
Our results clearly show intergroup differences in first tooth contact. First tooth
contact only occurred in the molar region in the OB group. On the other hand, first
tooth contact occurred in the anterior and premolar regions more frequently in the
NOB group. Only one patient in the NOB group showed first tooth contact in the molar
region. If the regions were divided into anterior and posterior regions, three NOB
patients showed first tooth contact in the anterior region, while the remaining five
NOB patients showed first tooth contact in the posterior region. A previous report
demonstrated that first tooth contact was as frequent among anterior teeth as among
molars. Since anterior teeth might guide masticatory function, their contact at the
commencement of a chewing cycle precedes the distribution of force to posterior teeth
in later stages.[14]
First tooth contact during mastication plays an important role in controlling the
function of jaw-elevator muscles. First tooth contact among anterior teeth, with numerous
periodontal mechanoreceptors, can cause some inhibitory reflexes of the masseter and
temporalis muscles. In contrast, first tooth contact among posterior teeth can result
in rapidly excitatory reflexes of such muscles.[15] Regarding the occlusal forces distributed to the TMJ, first tooth contact among
anterior teeth can cause increased forces in both condyles, while that among unilateral
posterior teeth can cause increased pressure on the contralateral condyle.[11]
[15]
Since first tooth contact occurred in the molar region in the OB group, some rapid
excitatory reflexes of the masseter and temporalis muscles were possibly induced,
causing the teeth to be occluded in the MIP. The premature contact of posterior teeth,
even on one side, might also cause pressure on the contralateral TMJ and condylar
displacement from increased TMJ friction, increased intraarticular pressure, and TMJ
disc displacement. First tooth contact was observed in the anterior and posterior
regions in the NOB group. First tooth contact in the anterior region caused less muscular
activity. In this case, increased intraarticular pressure was the result of such decreased
activity. Differences in the region of first tooth contact between OB and NOB patients
are worth studying to determine whether OB patients are more susceptible to TMD than
NOB patients.[11]
[15]
[27]
Neither the OT nor the time to generate total force showed a significant difference
between the groups; the mean and standard deviation OT and time to generate total
force were 0.49 ± 0.19 seconds and 0.51 ± 0.20 seconds in the OB and NOB groups, respectively.
These results were similar to those reported in an investigation among non-TMD subjects
(0.45 ± 0.17 seconds),[28] probably because of our exclusion of TMD patients. Despite some differences in first
tooth contact between our groups, there was no difference in the OT or time to generate
total force (p = 0.548). This illustrates that observation of only the initial and final points
of occlusion might produce insufficient data. In addition, the number of patients
in each of our groups was relatively small for robust data interpretation.
Some past studies have reported significant differences in the occlusal force and
occlusal contact area between OB patients and controls. However, separation of the
dental arch into regions has not been performed in such work among pediatric OB patients
using colorimetric capsules and a spectrophotometer,[29] among adult OB patients using a surface electrode,[30] or among pediatric and adult patients with various forms of malocclusion using the
Dental Prescale system.[31] Moreover, a study on the occlusal force distribution in pre- and postorthognathic
surgery patients determined using the T-Scan III system divided the dental arch into
three regions: the anterior (canine-to-canine) region and the left and right posterior
(premolar-to-molar) regions.[32] Our results are consistent with theirs but with more details in each dental arch
region.
Occlusal forces during mastication are documented to transfer from teeth to their
supporting tissues.[33] A finite element analysis showed that the highest occlusal stress was at the zygomaticotemporal
suture, followed by pterygomaxillary, nasofrontal, and zygomaticofrontal sutures,
implying that their stress-bearing properties descended from posterior to anterior.[34] An investigation among patients wearing fixed prostheses,[18] as well as our in vivo data, showed the highest occlusal loads in the molar region.
Compared with loads in the molar region in our groups, significantly smaller loads
were observed in the premolar and anterior regions, while those in the anterior and
premolar regions in the NOB group were similar. The phenomena can be explained by
the decreased size of the respective teeth and anterior OB malocclusion in almost
all of our patients. With respect to the region in the OB and NOB groups, significantly
higher force distributions were observed in the anterior and premolar regions in the
NOB group but in the molar region in the OB group. The latter corresponded with frequent
clinical findings of anterior OB in our patients. It can be inferred that the molar
region was excessively loaded, possibly resulting in some hazardous effects on the
masticatory system.
Compared with healthy subjects, patients with TMD have been revealed to have a more
forward position of the occlusal force center and reduced occlusal forces on the first
(6.9%) and second (27%) molars.[35] In addition, those with TMJ pain showed a significantly longer distance from the
occlusal force center and a significantly higher asymmetry index of the maximum occlusal
load.[36] Compared with those in the NOB group, patients in the OB group had a significantly
higher force in the molar region (p = 0.007) but significantly lower forces in the anterior (p = 0.000) and premolar (p = 0.038) regions. Taken together, these results indicate that inappropriate occlusal
force distributions affect the TMJ and that OB patients are prone to TMD.
There are limitations to this study. The inclusion criteria and the COVID-19 pandemic
in our country have caused our sample size to be rather small. Moreover, we plan to
investigate associations between skeletal malocclusion in the sagittal and vertical
directions and occlusal parameters in future research.
Conclusion
Among the selected patients in both groups with similar forms of skeletal malocclusion
to reduce confounding factors, first tooth contact was observed in all three regions
in the NOB group but only in the molar region in the OB group. Intergroup comparisons
illustrated significant differences (p < 0.05) in the occlusal force distributions in the anterior and premolar regions.
In addition, the force distributions in the molar region in the OB group were approximately
1.5 times as high as those in the NOB group. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the OT between the groups.