Relationship between two pressure‐sensitive films for testing reduced occlusal force in diagnostic criteria for oral hypofunction

Abstract

Objective To measure the occlusal force in the same group of patients with the Dental Prescale 50H type R and the Dental Prescale II, examine the association between them, and determine the reference value for Dental Prescale II that corresponds to the 50H type R 200 N reference value used to make a diagnosis of oral hypofunction. Background Reduced occlusal force, a measure of frailty in older persons, was previously determined with Prescale 50H type R pressure‐sensitive film, but it has been replaced by the Prescale II. Materials and methods The study participants were 441 men and women aged ≥ 65 (mean, 71.8 ± 5.3) years. The occlusal force was measured with the two different types of pressure‐sensitive film, and their association was examined. Receiver operating characteristic curves for the Prescale II measured values were created with the 200 N reference value used for the 50H type R film as the cut‐off value. Results The analysis set included 391 participants for whom measurements were obtained using both the 50H type R and the Prescale II. Linear regression analysis produced regression equations, and a ROC curve analysis provided reference values of 500 N for the Prescale II (without pressure filter) and 350 N for the Prescale II (with pressure filter). Conclusion In occlusal force tests for making a diagnosis of oral hypofunction, reference values for the Prescale II (without pressure filter) and for the Prescale II (with pressure filter) were determined. The findings suggested that the Prescale II can be used as a diagnostic examination for oral hypofunction.

Associations between Oral Hypofunction Tests, Age, and Sex

“…The occlusal force of the entire dentition was measured using a pressure-sensitive sheet (Dental Prescale, G.C., Tokyo, Japan) during clenching for three seconds in the occlusal position. The occlusal force was considered hypofunction (decreased occlusal force) if the test score was <500 N [ 23 , 24 ]. Denture wearers were measured with their dentures in place.…”

Effect of scan delay on measurements of an occlusal pressure sensitive film: An in-vitro study

“… 14 , 15 The DPS2 has a thicker pressure-sensitive sheet (∼150 μm) than the conventional DPS (∼100 μm), so the colored area is increased by applying pressure to occlusal proximity and the occlusal force value is higher. 7 , 9 , 11 According to the manufacturer, the DPS2 has a better production yield rate and Bite Force Analyzer improves the quality of data analysis. 7 The main DPS2-associated disadvantages in occlusal analysis include film thickness (150) which may cause overestimation of the occlusal contact area, and inability to register dynamic contacts and mark the contacts directly on the teeth for adjustment.…”

“… 7 , 9 , 11 According to the manufacturer, the DPS2 has a better production yield rate and Bite Force Analyzer improves the quality of data analysis. 7 The main DPS2-associated disadvantages in occlusal analysis include film thickness (150) which may cause overestimation of the occlusal contact area, and inability to register dynamic contacts and mark the contacts directly on the teeth for adjustment. On the other hand, DPS and DPS2 can measure the total occlusal force and occlusal contact area close to the position between the teeth, and do not significantly increase the occlusal vertical dimension when measuring the occlusal force.…”

“…Subsequent studies performed with DPS2 validated it as a reliable and reproducible system. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 A correlation between the maximum occlusal forces measured by DPS and DPS2 was suggested, and comparison between the two measurements could be made by applying corrections using a regression equation. 11 In 2016, the Japanese Society of Gerodontology proposed a definition of and diagnostic criteria for “oral hypofunction”.…”

“… 12 , 13 The new DPS2 has been widely used since 2018 when the testing and management of oral hypofunction were covered by the Japanese national health insurance system. 7 …”