Objective parameters that could provide a basis for food texture selection for elderly or dysphagic patients have not been established. We therefore aimed to develop a precise method of measuring large particles (> 2 mm in diameter) in a bolus and an analytical method to provide a scientific rationale for food selection under masticatory dysfunction conditions. We developed a new illumination system to evaluate the ability of twenty female participants (mean age, 23.4 ± 4.3 years) to masticate carrots, peanuts and beef with full, half and one quarter of the number of masticatory strokes. We also evaluated mastication under suppressed force, regulated by 20% EMG of the masseter muscle. The intercept and inclination of the regression line for the distribution of large particles was adopted as coefficients for the discrimination of masticatory efficiency. Single set of coefficient thresholds of 0.10 for the intercept and 1.62 for the inclination showed excellent discrimination of masticatory conditions for all three test foods with high specificity and sensitivity. These results suggested that our method of analyzing the distribution of particles > 2 mm in diameter might provide the basis for the appropriate selection of food texture for masticatory dysfunction patients from the standpoint of comminution.

It can be concluded that TiZr NDIs present similar success rates and peri-implant bone resorption to cpTi NDIs.

One obstacle to placing artificial posterior teeth in manufacturing complete dentures is a reduction of the space between the maxilla and the mandible. Occasionally, second molar placement is not performed, as it does not affect aesthetics, phonetics or comfort. The aim of this study was to compare the masticatory efficiency between patients wearing maxillary and mandibular complete dentures with reduced dental arches (without second molars) (WSM) and with full dental arches (FDA). Twenty subjects were divided into two groups and randomly received new complete dentures. Patients in Group 1 were given dentures WSM, and those in Group 2 were given dentures with FDA. After the post-placement visits, an initial masticatory efficiency test was performed with Optocal, an artificial test food. Fifteen days later, second molars were placed in Group 1 and removed from Group 2, and a new test was performed. Comminuted material was treated and sieved under vibration. The mean and standard deviation of masticatory efficiency with FDA were 10.4 and 8.1, respectively. In the tests WSM, the mean and standard deviation were 8.4 and 3.3, respectively. After removing the second molars in Group 2 and adding them in Group 1, the mean and standard deviation were 15.7 and 14.7 for Group 1 and 12.5 and 10.4 for Group 2, respectively. Within the limitations of this study, placing artificial teeth up to the first molars can be performed when needed without compromising masticatory efficiency.

According to the results, there were no differences (p < 0.05) in the masticatory efficiency of the complete denture sets using teeth with the two cusp heights.

No abstract