Abstract
This study investigated masticatory function of postoperative oral cancer patients subjectively and objectively to obtain some suggestions for higher functional level in overall postoperative cancer patients. The subjects were 53 postoperative oral cancer patients, 23 male and 30 female, 41 to 85 years, averaged 63.1. Their masticatory function was evaluated subjectively with the Yamamoto's masticatory grade and objectively with Occlusal Prescale (Fuji Film Co.) and the low adhesive color developing chewing gum method. They were also asked with the questionnaire whether they were satisfied with their functional level and desired further rehabilitative treatment. Their functional level were ranged widely from that of normal subject to almost hard to masticate. Some patients did not want to undergo further rehabilitative managements although they had very poor functional level and/or were not sastisf ied with their functional states. Combined with the improvements of surgical and prosthetical techniques, further efforts to motivate them are also important for rehabilitation of overall postoperative oral cancer patients.
