title: Occlusal bite force change after orthodontic treatment with Andresen functional appliance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the occlusal bite force (OBF) changes, at the incisal and molar regions, after orthodontic treatment with functional appliance therapy in preadolescent subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  OBF was measured for patients (17 females and 16 males) before and after the treatment with Andresen functional appliance for an average period of 9 months (mean age was 11.8±1.1 years). Three variables were registered; maximum OBF at molar region and the average of three readings at the molar (AOBF) and incisal regions (IOBF). The same variables were measured in two occasions for a matching non-treated control group with a period of 9 months between the two measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant changes were seen in the OBF measured parameters in the control group. There was a reduction in all measured parameters. The mean reduction in maximum OBF was 76.1±12.4 N (P < 0.001), 58.5±13.0 N in AOBF (P < 0.001), and 69.3±11.6 N IOBF (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with functional appliance caused a significant reduction in OBF immediately after treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan susank@just.edu.jo.
authors.forename: Susan N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Al-Khateeb
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
authors.forename: Elham S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Abu Alhaija
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Majzoub
mesh_terms: D000202:Activator Appliances; D000293:Adolescent; D001732:Bite Force; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000503:physiopathology; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods