Rapid voluntary clench induces bite force reflex in human

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the occlusal analysis system T-Scan II for the detection of a bite force reflex and to determine the net jaw reflex modulation during a rapid voluntary clench. Materials and Methods: Eleven subjects were asked to bite as fast as possible on the pressure-sensitive sheet using occlusal scanning system T-Scan II . The bite force reflex parameters were determined from the occlusal force curve. Results :The inhibitory bite force reflex occurred in nine subjects with a latency of 34.0 ± 7.8 ms, duration of 17.0 ± 2.8 ms and strength of 1.6% ± 0.3%. A strong correlation was detected between the latency of the reflex and the time to reach 80% of the maximal relative bite force (r = 0.833; p < 0.01). A moderate correlation was found between the relative bite force at the moment of the first turning point of the reflex and the change of this force during the reflex (r = 0.677; p < 0.05). Conclusion: The reflex modulation confirms the protective role of the jaw reflex: during faster bites the latency of the bite force reflex was shorter and with a higher bite force the strength of the reflex was greater. Keywords: Bite force reflex, Human, Occlusal scanning, Rapid voluntary clench, Relative bite force