Masticatory index for patients wearing dental prosthesis as alternative to conventional masticatory ability measures

Abstract

Objectives The study objectives were: 1) to develop a masticatory index for evaluating masticatory ability in patients wearing a dental prosthesis, including complete dentures (CD), removable partial denture (RPD), and fixed partial denture (FPD), 2) to test the reliability and validity of the index, and 3) to determine whether the index better reflected patients’ masticatory ability compared with conventional subjective and objective measures. Methods The present cross-sectional study consisted of 2 phases: 1) developing the Chulalongkorn University masticatory index (CUMI) consisting of 20 food items in 5 masticatory difficulty grades using a 3-point Likert scale, and 2) application of the CUMI in 110 patients wearing a dental prosthesis, including CD, RPD, and FPD (control group). The CUMI test-retest reliability was reevaluated 2 weeks later. The convergent validity was compared with objective masticatory performance evaluated with a standard peanut chewing test, and subjective eating impacts evaluated by the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances Index. Oral and denture status were determined clinically. The associations between CUMI score, peanut particle size, and eating impact score was identified using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. To evaluate discriminant validity, the associations between masticatory ability measurements and oral and denture status were analyzed using regression analyses. Results The CUMI’s Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient values were 0.89 and 0.95, respectively. The convergent validity was shown by significant associations between the increased CUMI score, smaller peanut particle size and decreased eating impact score. Multivariable analyses found that the CUMI score, peanut particle size, and percentage of having an eating impact were significantly associated with the number of remaining teeth and posterior occluding pairs, and type and quality of dental prosthesis. However, the CUMI demonstrated better discriminant validity because significant dose-response relationships were found only between the decreased CUMI score and increased tooth loss severity, and unacceptable denture quality. Adjusted R2 values of the CUMI models were the highest, followed by those of peanut particle size and eating impact. Conclusion CUMI is a reliable and valid tool to evaluate masticatory ability of patients wearing a dental prosthesis, including CD, RPD, and FPD. Due to a better discriminant validity, the CUMI better reflects masticatory ability of patients compared with conventional subjective and objective masticatory ability measures.

The Level of Satisfaction Among Patients with Dental Bridges

“…The masticatory function was assessed by the dentures being comfortable and painless when chewing. 19 Up to 13.4% were dissatisfied with the masticatory function. Most dissatisfied patients stated that the jaw joint felt tired after chewing.…”

Association between oral hypofunction and general health: a systematic review

“…First, there is a nutritional pathway linking oral hypofunction with sarcopenia and frailty. Impaired oral function may lead to avoidance of hard and fibrous foods, resulting in nutrient-deficient diet [ 35 ] and malnutrition [ 12 , 33 , 36 ]. Older adults with fewer remaining teeth or oral hypofunction often exhibit lower masticatory muscle strength, lower BMI [ 8 , 12 , 21 ], and reduced muscle mass [ 4 , 11 ], thereby increasing the risk of developing sarcopenia and frailty [ 11 , 21 ].…”

Evaluation of Masticatory Efficiency Based on Denture Design, Period of Edentulism and Gender

“…The results go with previous studies have shown that mandibular over-denture provide an increase in masticatory efficiency within time as increase the number and stability of the denture. A study conducted by Limpuangthip et al (23) found that when compare conventional dentures, mandibular overdenture improved patient satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life. Additionally, muscle activity was increased significantly by increasing the number of implants beneath overdenture.…”