title: The effect of periodontal surgery on bite force, occlusal contact area and bite pressure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tooth mobility resulting from the loss of periodontal support or trauma induced by periodontal surgery may change the amount of bite force (BF) and bite pressure (BP) and number of occlusal contact areas (OCAs). The aim of the authors' study was to compare BF, BP and OCA of teeth with periodontal disease before and after periodontal surgery with similar values of healthy teeth.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors performed quantitative analysis of BF, BP and OCA using a pressure measurement film. Ten patients with periodontitis who needed periodontal surgery served as the test group. The authors took measurements of BF, BP, OCA and mobility (using Miller's Mobility Index) just before surgery and at one, four and 12 weeks after surgery. They also measured clinical attachment levels (CAL) before surgery and 12 weeks after surgery. Ten subjects without periodontitis served as the control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although BF and OCA increased the first week after periodontal surgery, analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no statistically significant differences at a 95 percent confidence interval. There were statistically significant differences between first-week mobility and that at four and 12 weeks (P = .001). A factorial ANOVA showed significant interaction between BF and mobility (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors' findings suggest that changes in BF, BP and OCA were not affected by periodontal surgery. However, mean mobility values and BF are correlated. Further investigations of this measurement method involving larger study populations and a longer follow-up period are needed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems to be helpful to follow occlusal changes after periodontal surgery using a pressure measurement film. It also may be suggested that this measurement method could be used to evaluate the treatment prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey. arzualk@omu.edu.tr
authors.forename: Arzu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alkan
authors.forename: Ilker
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Keskiner
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arici
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001732:Bite Force; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003768:Dental Occlusion, Centric; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011312:Pressure; D014086:Tooth Mobility / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology