1. Clinical and Technical Validation of Novel Bite Force Measuring Device for Functional Analysis after Mandibular Reconstruction.
- Author
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Steffen, Claudius, Duda, Katharina, Wulsten, Dag, Voss, Jan O., Koerdt, Steffen, Nahles, Susanne, Heiland, Max, Checa, Sara, and Rendenbach, Carsten
- Subjects
FUNCTIONAL analysis ,MANDIBLE surgery ,FREE flaps ,PLASTIC surgery ,SURGICAL flaps ,CAPACITIVE sensors ,FIBULA - Abstract
Bite force measuring devices that are generally suitable for edentulous patients or patients undergoing mandibular reconstruction are missing. This study assesses the validity of a new bite force measuring device (prototype of loadpad
® , novel GmbH) and evaluates its feasibility in patients after segmental mandibular resection. Accuracy and reproducibility were analyzed with two different protocols using a universal testing machine (Z010 AllroundLine, Zwick/Roell, Ulm, Germany). Four groups were tested to evaluate the impact of silicone layers around the sensor: no silicone ("pure"), 2.0 mm soft silicone ("2-soft"), 7.0 mm soft silicone ("7-soft") and 2.0 mm hard silicone ("2-hard"). Thereafter, the device was tested in 10 patients prospectively who underwent mandibular reconstruction using a fibula free flap. Average relative deviations of the measured force in relation to the applied load reached 0.77% ("7-soft") to 5.28% ("2-hard"). Repeated measurements in "2-soft" revealed a mean relative deviation of 2.5% until an applied load of 600 N. Maximum bite force decreased postoperatively by 51.8% to a maximum mean bite force of 131.5 N. The novel device guarantees a high accuracy and degree of reproducibility. Furthermore, it offers new opportunities to quantify perioperative oral function after reconstructive surgery of the mandible also in edentulous patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
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