Comparison of maximum bite force and dentate status between healthy and frail elderly persons.

The purpose of the present study was to (1) determine the standard value of maximum bite force and to (2) compare the maximum bite force of the elderly between healthy and frail subjects. Subjects included 349 healthy elderly individuals (149 males, 200 females) and 24 frail elderly individuals (seven males, 17 females) ranging from 65 to 74 years of age. Maximum bite force was evaluated using a Dental Prescale system. The maximum bite force of the healthy subjects was significantly higher than that of the frail subjects in both males (P=0.020) and females (P=0.015). However, no significant difference was observed in the number of present teeth between the healthy and frail subjects. Median of maximum bite force in healthy males was 408.0 N, and that of the healthy females was 243.5 N. These results suggest that the frail elderly have latent bite force problems.