Measure of bite force and occlusal contact area before and after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible using a new pressure-sensitive device: A preliminary report

Purpose: This study examined bite force and occlusal contact area in prognathic patients before and after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible using a newly developed pressure-sensitive sheet (Dental- Prescale, Fuji Photo Film Co, Tokyo, Japan). Patients and Methods: Twenty- five prognathic patients were examined. Bite force and occlusal contact area were measured preoperatively, at 2, 4, and 8 weeks, and at 3 and 6 months after surgery. The bite force and occlusal contact area of 20 healthy subjects were also measured. Results: Both bite force and occlusal contact area of the patients were the lowest 2 weeks after surgery and recovered to the preoperative level between 8 weeks and 3 months. Subsequently, they increased slowly and exceeded the preoperative level at 6 months after surgery. However, even at 6 months, both the bite force and the occlusal contact area of the patients were still only about half or less than that of healthy subjects. Conclusion: This pressure-sensitive device can be used as a simple indicator of postoperative recovery and occlusal improvement in patients following orthognathic surgery.