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FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ANTERIOR COMPONENT

OF OCCLUSAL FORCE*
T. E. S O U T H A R D t t. K. A. S O U T H A RDf and R. N. STILE%
ttipartmcnt of Orthodontics and $Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of
Tennessee-Memphis. Memphis. TN 38163. U.S.A.

Abstract-We hypothesized that the anterior component of occlusal force (ACF) generated by mandibular
molars was a function of molar inclination, height of the transverse condylar axis above the occlusal plane,
steepnessof the occlusal plane, gape, molar root dimensions, interproximal tooth contact force when not
biting. and bite force. Our research aim was to identify those biomechanical factors which determine ACF.
Mandibular second molars were axially loaded with a 90 N force (10 mm second molar gape) in IS subjects.
and the resulting ACF was measured at the mandibular first molar-second premolar contact using a
recording technique based on interproximal frictional forces. Morphologic measurements were obtained
from lateral cephalometric radiographs of each subject and included: Frankfort mandibular plane angle,
occlusal plane angle, angles formed by the longitudinal axis of the second molar and the occlusal and
mandibular planes, perpendicular distance from the top of the condyle to the occlusal plane, and second
molar root width and root length. For ten subjects,ACF resulting from axial loads of 50.100,150, and 200 N
was measured. For ten subjects, ACF resulting from an axial load of 50 N and second molar gapesof IO mm,
I4 mm. I8 mm, and 22 mm were measured. ACF increased with increasing gape and increased propor-
tionally to increasing bitt force. Correlation and stepwise regression analyses revealed that ACF varies with
interproximal tooth contact force when not biting (contact ‘tightness’) and molar root width (model
R* =0.71, p-zO.01). The hypothesis that ACF is a function of bite force, gape, molar root width, and
intcrproximal contact tightness has been supported. and the hypothesis that ACF is a function of molar
inclination. occlusal plane stccpncss.condylar axis height. and root length was rejected.

IN TRODU C TIO N terms of the elfect of the center of gravity of the

The concept of an anterior component of occlusal
force (ACF) which results during chewing evolved
over the past eight decades as a possible explanation
ofcertain observations in orthodontics including post-
treatment relapse (Stallard, 1923; Newcomb, 1936;
Grieve, 1944; Waldron. 1942). It is thought that while
chewing on posterior teeth, a portion of the occlusal
load projects towards the front of the mouth as ACF
(Fig. I) and that transmission of this force from the
posterior to the anterior teeth could eventually result
in forward migration and crowding of the anterior
teeth (Burdi and Moyers, 1988). Although this concept
is intuitive and has become generally accepted by the
dental community, a cause and effect relationship
between ACF and dental crowding has not been
shown. Further, suggestions that certain biomechan-
ical factors may influence ACF magnitude have not
been experimentally supported.
It is a common observation that, following ex-
traction of permanent mandibular second premolars,
the mesial inclination of the mandibular molars in-
creases and these teeth lean into the extraction site.
Trauner (1912) sought to explain this phenomenon in
Received infine/firm I8 M a y 1 9 9 0 .
*This research was supported by the University of
Tennessee Dental Alumni Association.
tAddress corresoondence to: Dr T. E. Southard, Depart-
ment of Orthodoniics, The University of Iowa. Iowa City.
IA 52242. U.S.A.
mandibular molars. Becausemandibular molars erupt
into the oral cavity with a mesia! inclination, he
suggested that their center of gravity did not lie
directly above their roots but, rather, toward the
anterior of the dental arch. Therefore, when masticat-
ing force is applied axially to these teeth, this force
would be divided into two parts, one axial component
parallel to the mesial edge of the tooth and one
anterior component perpendicular to it. If the second
premolar is missing, then the perpendicular force
component eventually tips the molar forward.
A second common clinical observation is that pos-
terior interproximal dental contacts continue to wear
throughout life but that interdental spacing does not
result from this wear. That is, with interproximal wear,
teeth must shift in order to maintain interproximal
contact. Stallard (1923) proposed that this space clos-
ure resulted from a forward drifting of teeth which in
turn resulted from the elkcts of ACF. He reasoned
that, since teeth swing into occlusion on an arc whose
center is a transverse axis through the condyles, the
mandibular teeth are carried in a superior-anterior
direction during closure. He further reasoned that, for
each mandibular posterior tooth, there could be re-
solved an anterior component of closing motion and
force. He suggested that the higher the transverse
condylar axis was above the plane of occlusion, the
greater would be the anterior component of motion
for these teeth during closure, the greater the ACF,
and the greater the forward drift tendency of posterior
teeth. Actually, during closure on a bolus between the

1199
1200 _ T. E. SO U T H ARD e t a l.

and (3) to be related to malalignment of mandibular

anterior teeth (Southard er al.. 1990).
Figures 2 and 3 depict the mandibular teeth in-
volved in this study and the mean distribution of ACF
during second molar axial loading, respectively. ACF
magnitude varied widely between individuals for the
same applied axial load.
Based upon the literature we hypothesixed that the
magnitude of ACF was a function of the inclination of
the axially loaded molar with respect to the mandible,
the height of the transverse condylar axis above the
occhisal plane, and the steepnessof the occlusal plane.
If ACF was related to occlusal plane steepnessthen we
also expected ACF to be influenced by the degree of
gape. Biomechanics also suggested that ACF w.ould
vary with bite force, the dimensions of the second
Fig. 1. The anterior componentof oeelusalforce(ACF).
molar root surface, and the ‘tightness’ of the mandibu-
lar interproximal contacts. However, no experimental
evidence to support any of these hypotheses has been
maxillary and mandibular teeth, forward motion of reported. Our research aim was to identify those
the mandible against the bolus should result in a biomechanical factors which determine the magnitude
posteriorly directed reactive force against mandibular of ACF generated by mandibular molars.
teeth.
Strang (1950) defined ACF as resulting from the
normal mesial inclination of the posterior teeth which
causes the maxillary posterior teeth to meet the man-
dibular posterior teeth in a seriesof angles, the apices
of these angles being dircctcd forward. The masti-
catory force component emanating from this angular
relationship would be partially directed toward the
front of the mouth. He further suggested that, for a
given axial load, the greater the mesial tilt of the
posterior tooth, the greater the forward crown dis-
placement and resulting ACF generated by that tooth.
The probable importance of interproximal contacts Fig. 2. Mandibular dental arch.
in the transmission of ACF was summarized by
Hemley (1944). He proposed that ACF is transmitted HUN MNDIBuIAR Am D1STR1BuT10
anteriorly from one tooth to another through these
contacts and that the effect of ACF on tooth move-
ment was resisted by the anterior dental arch at these
contacts. Following either the lossof a tooth, proximal
caries, or interproximal abrasion, the proximal con-
tact is removed and ACF causes a shifting of teeth
which tends to close the space. Finally, Burdi and
Moyers (1988) suggested that the steepness of the
occlusal plane influences ACF magnitude. However,
their rationale for this suggestion was not presented.
We recently reported measurement of the anterior
component of occlusal force (Southard et ok, 1989).
Axially loading a single posterior tooth resulted in
increased dental contact tightness for all contacts
mesial to the loaded tooth. It was considered that the
anterior component of occlusal force (ACF) from the
loaded posterior tooth drives the more anterior teeth MHDIStJL&R LETT INTEFtPROXIMAL CONTACTS -A
forward, while the roots and periodontium of these
more anterior teeth resist this force. ACF was found Fig. 3. Mean mandibular anterior component of occlusal
(1) to be transmitted anteriorly from the axially loaded force (ACF) distribution as the subjects were biting on the
mesiobuccal cusp of the mandibular left second molar with a
mandibular second molar through interproximal
90 N force (n= 15). ACF was measured at each left inter-
tooth contacts; (2) to have an unexpectedly high mean proximal contact anterior to the first molar. The error bars
magnitude during moderate second molar loading; indicate the standard error of the mean.
 Occlusal force antCrior component
M A T E RIA LS A N D M E T H O DS
ACF measurement technique
ACF was calculated from sliding frictional force
measurements. As the dry surface of one body slides
over that of another, each body exerts a frictional force
on the other parallel to the surfaces and opposite to
the direction of relative motion. The magnitude of this
frictional force is independent of the contact area,
proportional to the normal force transmitted across
the contact surface, and practically independent of
velocity at low velocities. This relationship was dis-
covered by Coulomb in 1781 (Shames, 1966).
When a 0.038 mm thick stainless steep strip* (6 mm
wide and 15 mm long) is slipped between two teeth,
each tooth is displaced and exerts a force against and
normal to the strip at the tooth contact point. For the
purpose of this study this force is termed the inter-
proximal force (IPF) of the contact. IPF can be
measured by recording the frictional force (FJ re-
quired to withdraw the strip with a tension transdunr
[Fig. 4(a) and (b)]. With dry tooth contact and a
known coefficient of dynamic friction (p) between
tooth enamel and stainless steel strip material. this
technique can be used to relate IPF to Fr by the
following equation:
IPF- FJ2p (N).
This equation is a slight modification of the Coulomb
relationship. Osborn (1961) stated this relationship
and conducted experiments which validated the use of
the technique to measure IPF. A proportionality
constant of 2 p is used instead of )r since the strip slides
along two tooth surfaces, each of which generates a
frictional force.
An apparatus, consisting of two parallel bars con-
nected at one end by a hinge, was constructed to
determine or,One-half of an extracted, sectioned tooth
was mounted on the upper bar and the other half-
tooth was mounted on the lower bar directly opposite
the half-tooth on the upper bar. Weights were sus-
pended from the upper bar so that a known inter-
proximal force was applied in a normal direction
through the contacts of the sectioned tooth. A stainless
steel strip was slipped interproximally. and Fp was
measured as the strip was withdrawn. The coefficient
of dynamic friction was calculated from equation (1).
Using five extracted teeth, the mean value of )I was
found to be 0.145 (s.d. -0.02) which compares favor-
ably with the value reported by Osborn (1961).
ACF generated by the mandibular left second mol-
ars was calculated as the difference between IPF when
the subject was biting with an axial 90 N load and
when the subject was not biting. The axial load was
generated by having the subjects bite on a custom-
designed bite force transducer (Southard et al., 1989)
which restricted biting by the subject to a single point
*Star Dental, Lancaster.PA, U.S.A.
1201
=&5 T E N S I O NT R I N S O U C E R
(al
\/ d
R\ k
lb)
+f/
w
Fig. 4. Measurement technique. (a) The tension transducer
was hooked through .a perforated 0.038 mm thick stainless
steel strip;(b) the strip was slipped into the first molar-second
premolar contact and withdrawn. The frictional resistance of
withdrawal was measured as the subject was biting on the left
second molar with an axial load approximating 90 N and
again while the subject was not biting. The anterior compon-
ent of occlusal lorca was calculated from the frictional force
measurements.
in the mandibular arch, the mesiobuccal cusp of the
(1) second molar. Since the biting force (FBF) in each
recording was rarely 90 N exactly, ACF was calcu-
lated and normalized for a 90 N load using the
following formula:
ACF = (1P%,,,n, - ff’F,,, t,,,,n,)(90/F,,) (NJ. (2)
The 90 N force was well within the normal range of
chewing force (Proffit et al., 1983). Since difficulties in
accessprecluded measurement of ACF at the mandi-
bular left second molar-first molar contact, ACF
measurements were made at the mandibular left first
molar-second premolar contact, i.e. the next closest
contact to the source of ACF generation.
Experimental procedure
Before each experiment, the bite force and tension
transducers were calibrated outside the mouth using
weights. Both devices responded linearly within the
range of experimental forces used. Fifteen adult sub-
jects, each having intact dentitions with healthy
periodontal tissues,participated in this study. No sign
or symptom of temporomandibular dysfunction was
present in any of the subjects. As a subject rested in the
supine position, the bite force transducer was placed in
the left side of the mouth. The bite force transducer
thickness resulted in a gape between the left maxillary
and mandibular second molars of 10 mm. The man-
dibular left first molar-second premolar contact was
air-dried, and the steel strip inserted. To obtain a
frictional force reading, each subject was asked to bite
to a 90 N level (as seen on a chart recorder) and to hold
this force as the steel strip was withdrawn 2-4mm
with the tension transducer. Withdrawal was stopped
 1202 - T. E. SO U T H ARD e t a l.

and then started again to provide two IPFbilinr read-

ings. Two readings were then taken while the subject
was not biting [Fig. 5(a) and (b)]. The IPF,i,i,l
measurements were averaged, the IPF,, biuna mcas-
urements were averaged, and ACF was calculated
using equation (2). This procedure was carried out for
each of the 15 subjects.
The following morphologic measurements were ob-
tained from lateral cephalometric radiographs of each
subject (Figs 6 and 7):
(a) Frankfort mandibular plane angle. The angle
formed by the Frankfort plane (anatomic porion to
orbitale) and the mandibular plane @onion to men-
ton);
(b) functional occlusal plane angle. This angle re-
presents steepness of the occlusal plane. It is the angle
formed by the Frankfort plane and the functional
occlusal plane (a line averaging the points of posterior Fig. 6. Lateral cephalomctric radiographic landmarks and
planes from which morphologic measurements were made.
occlusal contact for the premolars and first permanent
The angles which were studied included those formed by the
molar); Frankfort p(ane (FP) and the functional occtusal plane (OP),
by FP and the mandibular plane (MP), and by the longitud-
inal axis of the mandibular second molar and OP (angle I)
and MP (angle 2).
BITE FORCE

Root Width c e -

Fig. 7. !Sccondmolar root width. measured at the ccmento-

enamel junction of each tooth, and root length.

(c) angles formed by the longitudinal axis of the left

INTERPROXIMAL CONTACT FORCE
mandibular second molar and the occlusal (angle 1)
?tb) I and mandibular (angle 2) planes;
(d) condylar axis height, The perpendicular dis-
tance from the top of the condyle to the functional
occlusal planr
(e) second molar root width. Mesiodistal root
width of the left second molar measured at the cemen-
toenamel junction;
(f) second molar root length. Root length of the left
second molar measured from the cementoenamel
junction to the root apices.
For ten subjects, the experiment was repeated with
second molar axial loads of 50, 100, 150. and 200 N.
The experiment was also repeated for ten subjects at
gapes of IO, 14, 18, and 22 mm. and an axial load of
Fig. 5. Force recordings for the mandibular left first
molar-second premolar contact of a typical subject. (a) Bite 50 N. We were restricted to a minimum gape of IO mm
force recording. The subject attempt& to maintain a con- and a maximum load of 200 N by the construction of
stant 90 N axial bite force on the mandibular left second our bite force transducer. A 22 mm gape was nearly
molar, (b) the simultaneous interproximal contact force the maximum second molar gape attainable by some
recording. Two mcasurcmcnts were recorded while the sub-
ject was biting and two measurements were recorded while
of our subjects. Since the desired biting force (Far) in
the subject was not biting. each recording was rarely 50. 100, 150, or 200 N
 Occlusalforceanterior component
exactly, ACF was calculated and normalized to the
desired load using a variation ofquation (2) with a 50,
100,150, or 200 N load substituted for the 90 N load
A final experiment was conducted to investigate the
degree of IPF decay with time due to viscoelastic
relaxation in the periodontal ligament. Such decay
could result in systematic error in IPF and ACF
magnitudes. A stainless steel strip was placed inter-
proximally in each of ten subjects and left while
IPF, bitinswas measured at 0,5, 10. and 15 s. Fifteen
seconds was more than twice the time typically re-
quired for an ACF measurement.
Statistical analysis
Analyses were performed using the SAS statistical
software package (SAS Institute. Inc., 1985). Graphic
depiction of data and correlation analysis for ex-
ploratory data studies identified variables which most
probably influenced ACF generation. Variables in-
cluded were:
(a) Frankfort mandibular plane angle;
(b) natural logarithm of the occlusal plane angle;
(c) natural logarithms of angles formed by the
longitudinal axis of the mandibular second molar and
the occlusal (angle 1) and mandibular (angle 2) planeu.
(d) combinations (products) of the above angles;
(e) mandibular left second molar root length;
(f) mandibular left second molar mesiodistal max-
imum root width;
(g) mandibular left first molar-second premolar
1 P F n, b l t l n #*
Natural logarithms of angles were used instead of
the angles. This transformation corrected for curvilin-
earity and the increased variance of ACF with increas-
ing angular values.
Graphic plots were made to visually depict the
potential relationships between ACF generated by the
second molar and these independcnc variables. Cor-
relation analysis quantified the relationships between
all variables demonstrating potential relationships in
the graphic plots. Stepwise multiple regression analy-
sis selected optimal subsets of those independent
variables which contributed systematically to the dif-
ferencesin ACF between subjects. In the final regres-
sion analysis, the general linear models procedure was
used to estimate beta (regression coefficients) for each
independent variable on ACF. An alpha level of 0.05
was set for the significance level of all statistical tests.
RE!XI.Ts
Exploratory analysis revealed a possible relation-
ship between ACF, mandibular second molar root
width, and IPF, b,,,a, measured between the mandi-
bular first molar and second premolar. Table I pro-
vides estimates of the regression coefficients relating
these variables to ACF. For a fixed axial load and
gape, over 70 % of ACF variability between subjects
(total model Rz=0.71) was accounted for by the
1203
Table 1. Estimatesof regression coefficients and standard
errors (SE) for the variables associated with the ACF gener-
ated by the mandibular left second molar and measured at
the mandibular left first molar-second premolar contact. The
sample siz.eis 15
Partial
Variable Estimate SE Rz STB’
IPFt 9.7” 0.499 0.871
Root width: -7.9 ::: 0.207 - 0.484
*Standard beta coefficient.
tlnterprorimal contact force (newton) measured at the
mandibular left first molar-second premolar contact when
not biting. The regression coefficient is unitless.
JMandibular second molar mesio-distal root width meas-
ured at the cementocnamel junction. The regression coeffi-
cient is in units of N mm-‘.
$0.01 cpco.05.
“p<O.OOl.
IPF, b I t i n and the second molar root width. Under
such conditions, the following predictive equation
describes the ACF generated by the mandibular sec-
ond molar and measured at the mandibular left first
molar-second premolar contact:
ACF=83.6+9.7-IPF,,, b,,,”#-7.5-w (N) (3)
where w = mandibular left second molar mcsiodistal
root width (mm), and the proportionality factor 7.5
has units of Nmm-I.
No significant correlation was found between ACF
and any of the other variables [(a)-(e) above] included
in the exploratory analysis. However, as illustrated in
Fig. 8. there was a proportional increase in ACF with
increasing bite force from 50 to 200 N and an increase
in ACF with increasing second molar gape from IO to
22 mm. Finally, in testing the periodontal ligament
viscoelasticrelaxation, IPF,, b,,,nswas found to decay
by less than 5% over a period of I5 s.
DIXUSSION
Based upon the literature and our understanding of
biomechanical principles, we hypothesized that man-
dibular second molar ACF magnitude varied with one
or more of the following variables: bite force, gape,
steepness of the occlusal plane angle (Burdi and
Moyers, 1988). condylar axis height (Stallard, 1923).
interproximal force when not biting, second molar
root axial inclination (Trauner. 1912; Stallard, 1923;
Strang. 1950), and molar root dimensions.
The major limitation of this study was the measure-
ment technique itself. The validity of the relationship
between IPF and frictional forces has been demon-
strated in the laboratory using known loads applied to
extracted teeth (Osborn. 1961). But intraorally, the
interproximal insertion of a 0.038 mm thick steel strip
must alter to some degree the dental system being
measured. This is expected since the periodontal liga-
ment thickness along the roots of teeth ranges from
1204
MEAN ACF AT DIFFERENT BITE FORCES
1
6
100 166
6 60
SECOND MOLAR BITE FORCE (NEWTONS)
MEAN ACF AT DIFFERENT
(b)
11 .
64,. , , . ,
6 IO 12 I4 I6 $6 26
SECOND MOLAR GAPE (MM)
Fig. 8. Mean (n = 10) anterior component of occlusal Dora
(ACF) measured at the mandibular first molar-second prc-
molar contact and generated by loading the mandibular
second molar. The error bars indicate the standard error ol
the mean. (a) ACF at dikrent second molar axial loads and a
second molar gape of 10mm; (b) ACF at different second
molar gapes and a secondmolar axial load of 50 N.
only 0.15 to 0.38 mm (M&her, 1976). The stainless
steel strip, in separating the teeth, must also compress
the adjacent teeth anteroposteriorly in a manner
similar to ACF. The impact of this compression is
reflected in differences of both IPF,, b,t,nl and
IPF,,,,,, between subjects. Ideally, a more accurate
measurement of ACF using this technique would
possibly result if the strip thickness were narrower.
Thinner (0.0076 and 0.0025 mm) strips were imprac-
tical however, as they readily tore.
Continuously applied forces move teeth orthodon-
tically, first as a result of viscoelastic relaxation of the
periodontal ligament and later as a result of bony
remodeling. Following the insertion of an interproxi-
mal steel strip, viscoelastic relaxation will eventually
result in a decay of IPF,, b,,,n, and changes in ACF
magnitudes. However, over the time span of measure-
ment here the impact of viscoelastic relaxation on the
validity of these experiments appears negligible.
To simplify force measurements, the occlusal load in
these experiments was applied axially against the
- T. E. SW-WARD et al.
second molar and perpendicular to the occlusal plane.
Such a method neglects the effects of the cuspal
inclined planes in generating ACF but greatly aids
data interpretation. For instance, during clenching,
inclined plane contacts between teeth in opposing
arches can force teeth together in the ‘contained’ lower
arch and could account for increased IPF. The result
would be an inability to unequivocally ascribe IPF
increases to ACF. However, since teeth are generally
separated by a food bolus during masticatory strokes,
our method should reflect what occurs in viva On the
other hand, as the mandible closes from a retruded
contact position into maximal intercuspation during
260 1
clenching, the distal-facing inclines of mandibular
posterior teeth slide along the mesial-facing inclines of
the maxillary posterior teeth, and an additional hori-
GAPES zontal force should be added to ACF by cuspal incline
interaction. The magnitude and direction of this addi-
tional force would depend on the angles of cuspal
contact between the opposing teeth and the force
vector given to the mandible by the musclesof mastic-
ation (Osborn, 1961). Any externally applied force
which results in the application of an increased mesi-
ally-directed horizontal vector of force to the molars
should increase ACF above the magnitude which
results from the axial load alone.
During this experiment we assumed that ACF
resulted from, and was transmitted to anterior teeth
, .I
by, the mesial tilting of teeth. Such tilting has been
22 2. demonstrated to occur upon loading of posterior teeth
by Picton (1962). Another possible explanation for
increasing levels of interproximal forces could be that
the mandible flexes under biting loads and compresses
the teeth. However, if this latter explanation is true
and a significant part of increasing IPF was due to jaw
Rexure, then one should find increasing IPF anterior
to open dental contacts. That is, the jaw would still be
flexing and compressing teeth in the arch beyond such
contacts. Because we could not find transmission of
ACF beyond open contacts in either jaw (Southard et
01.. 1989). we conclude that ACF results from mesial
tilting of the teeth and not from flexure of the jaw.
It is interesting to note that ACF did not vary with
any of the three factors suggested in the literature:
steepness of the occlusal plane, condylar axis height,
or second molar inclination. Instead, 71% of ACF
variability between subjects was accounted for by
IPF,, bItIn and mandibular second molar root width
at a fixed bite force and gape. Although other factors
might be shown to influence ACF if a larger sample
size is used, this study demonstrates the relative
importance of IPF,,, bitl,,l and root width in de-
termining ACF.
The finding that ACF. a component of occlusal
load, increases proportionally to increasing bite force
was anticipated. Pa&t (1961) suggested that the
amount of tip an incisor tooth undergoes varies with
the magnitude of force applied perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the tooth. Since ACF results from
forward tipping of the occlusally-loaded second
 Oczlusal force anterior component 1205

molar, then increasing the occlusal load should in-
crease foward tipping of the second molar and conse-
quently result in a proportional increase in ACF.
The proportional relationship between bite force
and ACF is important for two reasons. Firstly, the use
of the factor 90/F,, in equation (2) to normalize the
axial load to 90 N for each subject is now validated.
Such a factor was necessaryin order to compare ACF
generated by different individuals since each recorded
F,, was rarely exactly 90 N. Secondly, we have sug-
gested (Southard et al., 1990) that individuals who
load their dentition for extended periods of time each
day could, as a result of ACF tipping the canine teeth
forward, be susceptible to orthodontic post-treatment
crowding of the mandibular incisors. If ACF had been
found to increase very little with corresponding in-
creasesin bite force, then the concern over the effect of
ACF on orthodontic instability would have been
lessened. However, the finding that ACF increases
proportionally with bite force heightens the concern
that extensive and extended axial loading by clenching
or bruxing could increase the risk for orthodontic
post-treatment relapse. However, it should be noted
that clenching and bruxism do not involve bite forces
that act at a single tooth, but rather involve forces on
dilTerent teeth in different temporal patterns.
The load from the bite force transducer (FBF) was
expected to generate an ACF that increased with
increasing gape. A simplilied model (Fig. 9) postulates
that ACF varies with the sine of the angle (a) between
the maxillary and mandibular occlusal planes. Max-
imum ACF should occur at maximal opening, as was
found experimentally [Fig. 8(b)]. However, such a
simplified relationship does not apply at minimal
openings where maxillary and mandibular planes are
nearly coincident (sine(a)=O) and an ACF=O is pre-
dicted. On the contrary, in biting at gapes smaller than
the dimension of our transducer and at unknown bite
forces we have measured large values of ACF.
This model also neglects increases in gape resulting
from condylar translation. That is, although the jaw
may initially open by virtue of a hinge or rotary
motion about a transverse axis through the condyles,
as the gape increases the condyle begins to descend
along the articular eminence of the temporal bone
(Fig. IO). This descent increasesthe second molar gape
without increasing Q. In fact, translatory condylar
descent could result in a decrease in a by permitting
counterclockwise rotation of the mandible until con-
tact with the bite force transducer is made. A combina-
tion of mandibular rotation and translation could
account for the changes we observed in ACF with
increasing gape [Fig. 8(b)]. That is, with an initial
increase of gape from 10 to 14 mm due to clockwise
mandibular rotation, a and mean ACF predictably
increased according to our model. As the gape in-
creased from 14 to 18 mm, condylar translation may
have occurred in most of our subjects, resulting in a
decrease in a and mean ACF. With a further gape
increase from 18 to 22 mm, a return to predominantly
mandibular clockwise rotation may have occurred
together with increases in a and ACF.
The positive correlation between ACF and the
interproximal contact force when not biting (contact
‘tightness’)can be explained by Fig. I 1.If a steel strip is
slipped between the mandibular first molar and sec-
ond premolar [Fig. I l(a)], the premolar will be
displaced mesially (anteriorly) by a distance x, [Fig.
I l(b)]. While more than one relation may be used to
explain the interaction between displacement of teeth
and applied force. Parfitt (1961) suggested that the
displacement of anterior teeth followed a logarithmic
function of the applied force. If that relation is taken
for the posterior teeth, then the reactive force of the

FBF (sin a)

Maxillary OP

FBF
Mandibular OP

(a) lb)

Fig. 9. Theoretical relationship bclween ACF and increasing gape. (a) A simplified model postuks that
ACF varies with the sine olthc angle (a) bclwccn the maxillary and mandibular cxclusal plana; (b) as the jaw
opens, the gape of the mandibular second molar increased from IO lo 22 mm. a incmascd, and the
component of the bite fora vector (P,& transmitted toward the anterior of the dental arch (ACFJ
correspondingly incnascd.
 1206 - T. E 80UThi.4~~
et al.

(a) (bl

Fig. 10. law opening and occiusal plane separation may initially resultfrom a simple clockwise rotation of
the mandible about a transverse axis through the condylc (a). However,as the gape is further increased. a
translatory descent of the condylc occurs along the articular eminence of the temporal bone(b). This motion
may result in a counlcrclockwisc rotation of the mandible and a decrease in a (a, >a,). Further increasing
the gape will eventually result in a predominantly clockwise mandibular rotation and an increasing a.

:
I
displaced premolar against the steel strip (the inter-
proximal contact force when not biting) could be
OWN l&SAL defined as follows:

:
(a)
IPF,, bltln~=cICe(C~X~ll
WI (4)
:
where constants c, and c2, and thcrcfore IPF,, b,,,nF
:
@
:
may vary between individuals, perhaps with the
periodontal condition of each tooth. As the second
molar tips mesially a distance x2 during occlusal
loading, the second premolar will also be tipped
mesially an additional distance x2. The reactive force
of the displaced premolar against the steel strip (the
interproximal contact force when biting) may be de-
fined as [Fig. 1I(c)]:

and
ACFx cI[eclfx’ +x2)_efcrxl)
1 N. (4
Assuming that the displacement x2 tends to be the
same between individuals under the same occlusal
load, it follows that ACF would vary with c, and c2
and correlate with IPF,, bl,lnl for a given gape and
occlusal load.
As the mesiodistal root width of the mandibular
second molar is increased, there is an increase in the
periodontal supporting tissues of the root in this
dimension. Increasing this area of tissue support de-
creases the stress applied across it and decreases the
strain these tissues undergo in the mesial direction
when the second molar is occlusally loaded. Therefore,
as the second molar root width increases,both second
Fig. 11. Theoretical relationship between ACF and inter- molar tipping and ACF should decrease for a given
proximal contact force when not biting (contact ‘tightness’). axial load. A negative correlation between second
If a steel strip is slipped between the mandibular second
molar root width and ACF is therefore expected.
premolar and first molar (a), the premolar is tipped forward a
distance xI and a reactive force is exerted by the premolar A 90 N occlusal load was used since our goal was to
against the strip(b). fhc magnitude of this force depends on study ACF forces comparable to those generated
c, and cl. constants which vary between subjects. If the during chewing. Lundgren and Laurel1 (1986) re-
tipping of the premolar is increased by distana xz during
ported typical chewing forces of about 100 N. and
oczlusal loading at the second molar. the premolar reactive
force is increased (c). The differena between these reactive Proffit et al. (1983) reported mean chewing forces of
forces is ACF. 158 N. For comparison, maximum bite forces appear
 Occlusat loa anterior component
to IX 2-5 times larger than typical chewing forces.
Pruim et al. (1980) reported mean maximum bite
form at the second molars of 756 N, while the largest
reported maximum human bite force was 4329 N
(Gibbs et al.. 1986). Maximum bite forces are an
important consideration since the effect of ACF on
dental crowding could be expected to occur during
periods of extended occlusal loading as is found in
patients who brux or clench their teeth. Such persons
strengthen their masticatory muscles with their para-
functional habits and heavier occlusal loading is ex-
pected in these individuals.
In summary, we hypothesized that the magnitude of
the anterior component of occlusal force generated by
mandibular second molar teeth is a function of molar
inclination, height of the transverse condylar axis
above the occlusal plane, steepness of the occlusal
plane, gape, molar root dimensions, interproximal
contact ‘tightness’, and bite force. The hypothesis that
ACF is a function of bite force, gape, molar root width,
and interproximal contact tightness was supported,
while the hypothesis that ACF is a function of molar
inclination, occlusal plane steepness, condylar axis
height, and root length was rejected.
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