Study of the flow of food on the occlusal surface

Abstract

The main objective of mastication is not only to grind and crush foodstuff but also to form a swallowable food bolus. Though much research has been done regarding masticatory mandibular movements and the stages of deglutition, we believe that a thorough study of mastication should include an analysis of the flow of crushed food on the occlusal surface; which since has not yet been reported became the objective of this study.
Four young adults, fully dentate, with good occlusal relations, and unrestored dentitions were selected as subjects. The interocclusal clearance between upper and lower first molars during functional lateral excursion and the behavior of food following crushing were examined in all subjects.
Results.
1) The occlusal clearance between the mesiopalatal section of the upper first molars and their opposing teeth increased more rapidly than in any other section
2) As masticatory strokes increased in frequency, small particles of food accumulated in the lingual side.
From these results, we implied that food flows in a mesiolingual direction on the occlusal surface after being crushed. To confirm it, we observed the flow of food using two experimental telescopic crowns. One was casted with the characteristic molar anatomy whilst the other one was made without buccal cusps. After comparing food behavior with these two crowns, we observed that the flow of food changed accordingly; possibly as a result of lowering the ability to regulate the flow of food that normal occlusal configuration posseses.