A gnathodynamometer (or occlusometer) is an instrument for measuring the force exerted in closing the mouth. This device can measure the bite force of humans in the following three measurements: newtons, (N), pounds, (lb), or kilograms, (kg). The average bite force of a human being is 126 pounds per square inch, (psi). A bimeter gnathodynamometer is one with an adjustable central-bearing point. As per the inventor's design study, the instrument works well "in measuring maximal

bite force Bite force quotient (BFQ) is a numerical value commonly used to represent the bite force of an animal, while also taking factors like the animal's size into account. The BFQ is calculated as the regression of the quotient of an animal's bite f ...

and masticatory efficiency of

incisor Incisors (from Latin ''incidere'', "to cut") are the front teeth present in most mammals. They are located in the premaxilla above and on the mandible below. Humans have a total of eight (two on each side, top and bottom). Opossums have 18, whe ...

and

molar teeth The molars or molar teeth are large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth. They are more developed in mammals. They are used primarily to grind food during chewing. The name ''molar'' derives from Latin, ''molaris dens'', meaning "millstone to ...

, respectively."

Shark Sharks are a group of elasmobranch fish characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton, five to seven gill slits on the sides of the head, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the clade Selachimo ...

s are baited into biting hard plastic sheets, which are brought to the laboratory. The depth of the indentations shows the force of the bite. The inventor is J. N. Snodgrass.

Sources

''Please expand article with'' *{{cite journal , author=Ortuğ G , title=A new device for measuring mastication force (Gnathodynamometer) , journal=Ann. Anat. , volume=184 , issue=4 , pages=393–6 , date=July 2002 , pmid=12201050 , doi=10.1016/S0940-9602(02)80063-2 * http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/topics/r_bites.htm * http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/safari/shark/expert/expert14.html Medical testing equipment