The relationship between masticatory function and occlusion

Part I: Analysis is periodontally healthy subjects

Abstract

The influence of periodontal condition upon masticatory function has not been well evaluated yet. In this study we first planned to obtain the fundamental relationship between masticatory function and occlusion in periodontally healthy subjects. Forty-four subjects (21 males and 23 females) with more than 28 teeth with no signs of periodontitis or no occlusal dysfunction were selected. Masticatory function was evaluated using a color-changeable chewing gum and expressed as masticatory performance. Occlusal measurements, including occlusal platform area, average bite force, total bite force, and occlusal balance, were determined by Dental Prescale System ^®. The results showed that the masticatory performance in the male subjects was significantly greater than that in the female subjects. Furthermore, the masticatory performance significantly correlated with average bite force and occlusal platform area. However, when the male and the female subjects were separately analyzed, these associations were observed only in the male group, while the female group showed a significant association only between masticatory performance and occlusal balance. The present study demonstrated the relationship between the masticatory function measured using the color-changeable chewing gum and the occlusal measurements determined by Dental Prescale System ^® in periodontally healthy subjects. It is necessary to study the relationship between masticatory function and occlusion in periodontitis patients.