The relationship
between masticatory efficiency and the state of dentition at patients
with non rehabilitated partial lost of teeth
Sierpińska T,
Gołębiewska M, Długosz JW
Abstract
Factors believed to
affect masticatory efficiency include loss of postcanine teeth, bite
force, severity of malocclusion, occlusal contact area, body size and
oral motor function.
The aim: to record if there is relationship
between masticatory efficiency and the state of dentition at patients
whose occlusion has never been rehabilitated.
Material: The study
was performed in 22 patients who were missing over 50% of their
functional dental units and never used any prosthetic appliances and
in 15 healthy completely dentate controls.
Methods: The
masticatory efficiency was measured using Optosil test for 20 and 80
cycles of chewing. The occlusal conditions were analyzed by means of
the computerized T-Scan II System which registered the maximal force
of pressure during the maximal occlusal contacts, the time which
passed between the first contact and the maximal force of pressure
and the occlusal platform area.
Results: It was observed a
considerable difference in the integrity of the masticatory system
between both groups. The force of pressure on the indicator, chewing
platform area and the time from the first contact to the maximal
force calculated in T-Scan II System differs significantly between
both groups. The value of X50 for 20 and 80 cycles of chewing
estimated in Optosil test were statistically significant only for 80
cycles of chewing.
Conclusion: The severe reduction of the number
of functional dental units is caused of the impairment of chewing
ability but prolongation of mastication could improve the comminution
of hard food.
Key words: state of dentition, masticatory
efficiency, Optosil test, T-Scan II System.