Pathogenic oral microbiota abundance is associated with reduced bite force in patients with periodontitis

Authors

• Chih-Chieh Wen, Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
• Thu Ya Linn, School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
• Ting-Yi Renn, School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
• Hui Yin Nam, Department of Pre-clinical Sciences, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
• Chia-Chen Hsu, School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
• Yi-Jen Lin, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Health and Medical Engineering, Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
• Yi-Fan Wu, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Health and Medical Engineering, Ming Chuan University, Taoyuan, TaiwanFollow
• Wei-Jen Chang, School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

First Page

1636

Last Page

1644

Abstract

Background/purpose: Periodontitis leads to tissue destruction and functional impairment, but the interplay between microbiota, clinical parameters, and biomechanics remains unclear. This study aimed to quantitatively correlate specific oral microbial signatures and clinical inflammatory indicators with bite force in patients with periodontitis.

Materials and methods: Fifteen patients with stage III-IV periodontitis and 15 periodontally healthy controls were recruited. Clinical parameters (Probing Depth, Clinical Attachment Loss, Bleeding on Probing, Plaque Index) and MBF (pressure-sensitive film) were recorded. Supragingival plaque was analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing (PacBio SMRT) to determine microbial composition. Correlation analyses were performed.   

Results: The periodontitis group had significantly higher CAL (4.97 ± 1.18 vs. 2.49 ± 0.21 mm) and BOP (49.16 ± 17.97% vs. 14.52 ± 5.29%), and significantly lower MBF (561.17 vs. 891.46 N) (all P-values < 0.05). Across all subjects, Plaque Index and BOP were significantly negatively correlated with bite force. In patients, Porphyromonas abundance showed a significant positive correlation with BOP (ρ = 0.425), whereas Streptococcus showed a negative correlation (ρ = -0.381). Furthermore, higher abundances of pathogenic genera (e.g., Porphyromonas, Capnocytophaga) were significantly associated with reduced MBF.

Conclusion: Bite force decline in periodontitis is directly associated with both clinical inflammation (BOP) and specific pathogenic bacterial loads (e.g., Porphyromonas). Microbial signatures combined with MBF may serve as a novel, integrative biomarker for assessing periodontitis severity beyond traditional clinical indices.

Recommended Citation

Wen, Chih-Chieh; Linn, Thu Ya; Renn, Ting-Yi; Nam, Hui Yin; Hsu, Chia-Chen; Lin, Yi-Jen; Wu, Yi-Fan; and Chang, Wei-Jen (2026) "Pathogenic oral microbiota abundance is associated with reduced bite force in patients with periodontitis," Journal of Dental Sciences: Vol. 21: Iss. 3, Article 31.
Available at: https://jds.ads.org.tw/journal/vol21/iss3/31

Publication Date

2026