RESUMO
Mastication is the process to help digestion by chewing or grinding food. Masticatory system consists of maxilla, mandible, temporomandibular joints, ligaments, dentitions, and musculatures. Assessing the bite force can be one of the methods to estimate the masticatory system. Bite force is influenced by facial morphology, age, sex, periodontal status, temporomandibular joint disorder and dental condition, and so forth. In general, higher maximum bite force is seen in those who have a square-shaped face and in male rather than female. In addition, bite force tends to be increased by age 20, maintained constantly until age 40 - 50, and then decreased. Periodontal disease is known as a causative factor for decreased bite force while temporomandibular disorder (TMD) remains controversial as to whether it affects the force. The status of teeth is considered as an important factor to determine the maximum bite force.
