Masticatory performance in older subjects with varying degrees of tooth loss

• Published in: Journal of dentistry Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 71 - 76
• Main Authors: Ikebe, Kazunori, Matsuda, Ken-ichi, Kagawa, Ryosuke, Enoki, Kaori, Okada, Tadashi, Yoshida, Minoru, Maeda, Yoshinobu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2012; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Aging - physiology; Bicuspid - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Bite Force; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Occlusion; Dentistry; Dentures; Eichner Index; Elderly; Facial bones, jaws, teeth, parodontium: diseases, semeiology; Female; Humans; Independent Living; Linear Models; Male; Mastication; Masticatory performance; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Molar - physiology; Multivariate analysis; Non tumoral diseases; Occlusal force; Older people; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Posterior occlusal contact; Prostheses; Regression analysis; Saliva - secretion; Salivary flow rate; Secretory Rate; Studies; Syntax; Tooth Loss - classification; Tooth Loss - physiopathology; Occlusal force; Eichner Index; Posterior occlusal contact; Salivary flow rate; Masticatory performance; Elderly; Human; Performance evaluation; Occlusion; Edentulousness; Stomatology; Dental disease; Chewing; Bucco-dental health; Saliva
• ISSN: 0300-5712; 1879-176X; 1879-176X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2011.10.007

The purpose of this study was to establish the factors influencing the masticatory performance of older subjects with varying degrees of tooth loss and associated numbers of posterior occlusal contacts. The subjects consisted of 1274 independently living people aged 60 years and over. Individuals with partially or fully edentulous arches without a denture replacement or those having any symptoms related to an oral problem were excluded from the study participants. Masticatory performance, maximal occlusal force and stimulated whole saliva were measured. Subjects were grouped into three categories by posterior occlusal contact, according to the Eichner Index. Group A had contacts in four support zones; group B had one to three zones of contact or contact in the anterior region only; and group C had no support zones at all, although a few teeth could still remain. The masticatory performance in groups B and C was found to be 81% and 50% of that of group A, respectively. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that in all the groups, occlusal force was significantly associated with masticatory performance. In groups A and B, the number of residual teeth was significantly associated with masticatory performance, whereas in group C, it had no significant relationship with masticatory performance. Salivary flow rate had a significant correlation with masticatory performance only in group C. Declines in occlusal contact, occlusal force and salivary flow appear to be associated with reduction of masticatory performance in older adults. However, the crucial factors for masticatory performance varied, depending on the phase of occlusal collapse.