Protocol for production of a chewable material for masticatory function tests (Optocal - Brazilian version)

Abstract

The present article aimed to present a standardized protocol for the production of a chewable test material that has been used in masticatory efficiency and performance studies. This chewable material has advantages in respect to its physical properties when compared to other artificial and natural test foods. It is constituted by mixing condensation silicon (58.3% by weight), common plaster (10.2% by weight), alginate (12.5% by weight), solid vaseline (11.5% by weight), tooth paste (7.5% by weight), and catalyst paste (20.8 mg/g), adding also three drops of mint essence. The mixed material is then inserted into an acrylic mould with perforations of 12 mm in diameter and 5 mm in height to produce rounded tablets with those measures after polymerization. It was named "Optocal -Brazilian version". A volume of 3 cm³ is indicated for a chewing test, which corresponds to 12 tablets using the present methodology. The present protocol can make the production of this chewable material easier, helping in its standardization for studies on masticatory function.

Influence of disinfectant solutions on test materials used for the determination of masticatory performance

“…Samples of this elastomeric material can be easily standardized and appraised after mastication, allowing weight and size control, thus reducing variability during production and mastication tests. 17 Among the materials employed in the present study, Perfil presented significantly higher X 50 values than the other materials. This result can be justified by the fact that Perfil presented a Shore A of 80 after 24 hours.…”

“…17 Optocal presented the lowest X 50 value among the 4 test foods investigated, followed by Optosil. The primary advantage of Optocal is its flexible and malleable consistency.…”

“…The primary advantage of Optocal is its flexible and malleable consistency. 17 Nevertheless, some studies have shown that this material is still not sufficiently soft for children and for oncological patients with temporomandibular disorders. 23 The mixture capacity test has been considered to be more appropriate than the fragmentation test for measuring differences in MP in individuals with compromised oral function.…”

Avaliação da performance mastigatória em indivíduos respiradores nasais e orais

“…Para a análise da performance mastigatória, vários alimentos são descritos na literatura, como os naturais cenoura e amendoim 25 . Entretanto, alguns pesquisadores 26,27 têm preferido o uso de alimentos artificiais, confeccionados a partir de silicone, isso porque a mesma possui várias vantagens sobre os alimentos naturais, entre elas, ser de fácil mastigação, possuir uma porcentagem alta de deformação, ser facilmente desinfetada, possibilidade de reprodução e padronização dos testes, insolubilidade em água ou em enzimas salivares 28 . Assim, Boretti, Bickel e Geering 25 , afirmam que a mensuração da performance mastigatória é apropriada, desde que seja realizada através de testes laboratoriais e métodos padronizados.…”

Choice of food sample in examining the masticatory function in edentulous patients and in patients with removable dentures

“…Attempts for such a study have been carried out since the beginning of the last century onwards (23). Some researchers (1,3,4,7,19,20) still continue to explore new methods in order to clarify this fundamental issue in prosthetics.…”