1989 年 56 巻 4 号 p. 513-527
Evaluating masticatory ability is a fundamental subject in dentistry. However there is no sufficient clinical method for it.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate compressive ability in mastication from compressive energy in mastication.
To measure compressive energy from compressive transformation of a material before crushing, a new artificial material, CHEWING GUM CONTAINING POLYCARBONATE MICROCAPSULES, was originated. And by the material, a method for evaluation of compressive ability was made.
The method was tested on 11 persons in the twenties (6 males, 5 females) . The results were as follows:
1) The coefficient of variations of values that were measured 5 times on one male subject was 4.24%.
2) The distribution of values that were measured on 11 subjects ranged widely. The ratio of the minimum value to the maximum value on 9 adults of normal occlusion was 1 : 3.0.
Compressive energy and occlusal contact area in mastication were calculated from these values.
The results show that the method for evaluation of compressive ability is one of the new clinical methods for evaluation of masticatory function.