Estimation of jaw-opening forces, energy expenditure and jaw-opening patterns in adults.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the jaw-opening forces in different stages of jaw-opening, and determine the correlation among maximum jaw-opening force, maximum jaw-opening, and parameters such as age, height, weight, and gender, (2) the energy expenditure during jaw-opening, and (3) the jaw-opening patterns in adults.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 87 participants were recruited from Dunedin, New Zealand.