We reported the objective evaluation of masticatory function in maxillectomy patients. This study was to assess contributing factors to masticatory performance of patients with mandibular resection.
Twenty five mandibulectomy patients who had been treated at a maxillofacial prosthetic clinic participated in this study. Their masticatory performance was investigated using gummy jelly, wax cubes, a food questionnaire and Dental Prescale. As for contributing factors, patient age, gender, occlusal support, type of defect, interocclusal relation, tongue defect, reconstruction and mandibular displacement were weighed.
Pearson correlation and Spearman rank correlation coefficients of the masticatory performance and the contributing factors were analyzed. As a result, increased surface area of the gummy jelly demonstrated significant higher correlations with the occlusal support, age, type of defect, occlusal contact points, masticatory score and interocclusal relation. Moreover, multiple regression analysis revealed that occlusal support and occlusal contact points were strongly related to the recovery of masticatory performance. Continual study with detailed defect classification is needed with a larger sample.
