Dental prescale and patients with nocturnal bruxism millimeter at the posterior region, just enough to between the three subgroups (pre-treatment, release the occlusal contact between the upper 1 month and 3 months of treatment) of the two and lower teeth. The appliance was adjusted study groups for the mean bite force and occlusal on every visit to maintain a stable contact contact area assessments. To compare the bite relationship with each opposing mandibular force and occlusal contact area between the tooth with no exclusive guidance in the position of study and control groups, another nonparametric relaxed closure from a postural rest position. The test (Kruskall Wallis) was also used. Non- patients were instructed to wear the appliance full parametric statistical analyses were chosen time except when eating or brushing their teeth. due to the limited number of the samples. All Five patients were treated with TCA (Amitriptiline statistical analyses were accomplished by using HCl, 10 mg/day) (Group A). the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences The bite force and occlusal contact area (Version 12.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill, USA) at the measurements were recorded pre-treatment 95% confidence level (P<.05). and at 1 month and 3 months of treatment. All measurements were examined using a pressure- ResuLts sensitive sheet (Dental Prescale, 50 H, type R, 97 Table 1 shows the descriptive statistics for the µm thick) and its analyzing apparatus (Occluzer) groups. Using the occlusal contact area or bite (Figure 1). When the sheet is bitten, microcapsules force as the dependent variable, general linear containing a color forming material are broken model analysis showed significant differences to react with a color-developing material. The between Groups A and S; P=0.016 and P=0.018, occlusal contact is detected by this chemical respectively. reaction and scanned by the occlusion pressure Furthermore, mean values of the occlusal graph. Bite force (Newton) and occlusal contact contact area and bite force of the subgroups (pre- area (mm2) are calculated from the degree of treatment, 1 month and 3 months of treatment) coloring7-9 (Figure 2). During measurement, showed statistically significant differences the subjects were seated with their heads in an between Group A and Group S. unsupported natural position, looking forward. A There were significant differences in the Dental Prescale was placed between the upper occlusal contact area and bite force between pre- and lower dental arch, and the subjects were treatment and at 1 month of treatment, and pre- instructed to bite as forcefully as possible for treatment and at 3 months of treatment in Group A about 3 seconds. (P<.05). It was observed that the occlusal contact A control group (Group C) comprising 10 area and bite force generally increased with time dental school students with normal occlusion (7 in Group A, with the exception of the bite force at women, 3 men; mean age 20.5 years) was also 3 months of treatment. On the contrary, it was formed in order to compare the bite force and observed that the occlusal contact area and bite occlusal contact area measurements with those force decreased with treatment in Group S. There of the study groups. They did not have a history of were significant differences in the bite force and bruxism, and were not receiving any treatment. occlusal contact area between pre-treatment and at 3 months of treatment in Group S (P<.05) Statistical analysis (Figures 3 and 4). In this study, a general linear model (repeated The bite force and occlusal contact area at measures) analysis was used to investigate the pre-treatment in the study groups were found effects of the time (pre-treatment, 1 month and to be higher than those in Group C. The bite 3 months of treatment) on the bite force and force and occlusal contact area in Group S at 1 occlusal contact area. This analysis showed that month and at 3 months of treatment were lower time had statistically significant effects on the bite than those in Group C. However, there were force and occlusal contact area for each group statistically significant differences at 3 months of (Group A and Group S). A nonparametric test treatment (P<.05). On the contrary, bite force and (Wilcoxon) was also used to test the hypothesis occlusal contact area at 1 month and 3 months that there were no significant differences of treatment in Group A were found to be greater 278 European Journal of Dentistry