Effect of prosthetic restoration on masticatory function in patients with shortened dental arches: a multicentre study

Abstract

The aim of this multicentre study was to investigate the effect of prosthetic restoration for missing posterior teeth on mastication in patients with shortened dental arches (SDAs). Partially dentate patients who had an intact teeth in anterior region and missed distal molar(s) (2-12 missing occlusal units) classified as Kennedy Class I or Class II were recruited from seven university-based dental hospitals in Japan. Of the 125 subjects who underwent baseline (pre-treatment) and follow-up/post-treatment evaluation, 53 chose no replacement of missing teeth and 72 chose treatment with removable partial dentures (n = 53) or implant-supported fixed partial dentures (n = 19). Objective masticatory performance (MP) was evaluated using a gummy jelly test. Perception of chewing ability (CA) was rated using a food intake questionnaire. In the no-treatment group, mean MP and CA scores at baseline were similar to those at follow-up evaluation (P > 0·05). In the treatment group, mean MP after treatment was significantly greater than the pre-treatment mean MP (P < 0·05). However, the mean perceived CA in the treatment groups was similar at pre- and post-treatment (P > 0·05). In a subgroup analysis of subjects in the treatment group, subjects with lower pre-treatment CA showed a significant CA increase after treatment (P = 0·004), but those with higher pre-treatment CA showed a significant decrease in CA (P = 0·001). These results suggest that prosthetic restoration for SDAs may benefit objective masticatory performance in patients needing replacement of missing posterior teeth, but the benefit in subjective chewing ability seems to be limited in subjects with perceived impairment in chewing ability before treatment.

Effect of dietary counselling with prosthetic restoration on fruit and vegetable intake in partially dentate patients: A prospective study

“…Masticatory function, as measured objectively via masticatory performance and maximum biting force, improved after prosthetic treatment; however, perceptions of CA did not. This may reflect previous reports in which the relationship between objectively measured and subjectively perceived masticatory function was very weak in partially dentate patients with RPDs, and a discrepancy between objectively measured improvement and subjectively perceived masticatory function was also reported after prosthetic restoration for shortened dental arches …”

Implant‐supported mandibular removable partial dentures: Functional, clinical and radiographical parameters in relation to implant position

“…For patients with compromised oral conditions, the MAI is a good alternative for food comminution tests: the test food is soft enough and forms a bolus that can be easily chewed on . In previous studies, the parameter “masticatory performance” was operationalized in various ways with contradictory findings . This makes the interpretation of those findings and comparison with the present one troublesome.…”

“…However, data regarding the effect on masticatory performance are contradictory. Some report improved masticatory performance, particularly in patients with more serious functional problems . Others do not see improvement when providing an RPD nor differences between subjects with or without an RPD in shortened dental arches .…”

The effects of prosthetic status and dementia on the chewing efficiency of seniors in nursing homes

“…The two-colour chewing gum test has been described as a simple, quick and valid tool that enables detection of small changes in masticatory performance. 28 However, studies investigating the influence of prosthetic restoration on chewing efficiency of institutionalised seniors are missing. 21 Tooth-related variables such as bite force, 22 dental status, 23,24 number of teeth, 11 number of functional occluding pairs 25,26 and occlusal characteristics 27 have also been identified as important.…”