Background: Masticatory function of institutionalised elders and its relationship with nutrition and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) are unknown. Objectives: This multicentre cross-sectional study evaluated the influence of the presence of teeth and dentures on masticatory function (masticatory performance and swallowing threshold) in institutionalised elders. Correlation of masticatory function with nutrition and OHRQoL was also verified. Methods: Older adults (n = 344; mean age (SD) = 77.70 (9.10)), selected from nursing homes in two Brazilian cities, were classified as edentulous with or without complete dentures (CDs), and partially dentate with or without prosthesis. Masticatory performance was assessed using a two-colour chewing gum. Swallowing threshold was set by the number of chewing cycles performed until swallowing 3.7 g of peanuts. Nutrition was screened by Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form and body composition. OHRQoL was evaluated through Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's correlation were used (α = 0.05). Results: Edentulous elders without CDs had lower masticatory performance than those with CDs and partially dentate with or without prosthesis (P < .05). Swallowing threshold of edentulous elders with CDs and partially dentate with prosthesis was greater than edentulous elders without CDs and partially dentate without prosthesis (P < .05). Masticatory function was not correlated with nutrition. Masticatory performance was correlated (P < .05) with GOHAI (r 2 = −.154) and swallowing threshold with GOHAI (r 2 = .162) and OHIP-14 (r 2 = −.146). Conclusion: The absence of teeth and dentures negatively affected the masticatory function. Although the masticatory function was not correlated with institutionalised elders' nutrition, their OHRQoL was negatively impacted.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association of masticatory function with prosthetic rehabilitation status and dental prosthesis functionality in nursing home residents.Background: Prosthetic rehabilitation status and dental prosthesis functionality may adversely affect mastication of older people, and this relationship is underestimated in nursing home residents. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 179 nursing home residents who used dental prostheses [mean (SD) age: 78.9 (9.0) years]. Masticatory function data were determined by assessing (a) masticatory performance using twocolour chewing gum, and (b) swallowing thresholds by counting the number of peanut chewing cycles. Older adults were categorised as: (1) using dental prostheses in both jaws (n = 100) and (2) partially dentate using removable partial dental prostheses (RPDPs) or complete dentures (CDs) in only one jaw (n = 41), or (3) edentulous using CD in only one jaw (n = 38). Stability, retention, occlusion, vertical dimension and defects were considered in assessing dental prosthesis functionality. Results: Greater variance of hue (VOH) of the chewing gum and lower swallowing thresholds (worse masticatory function) was associated with edentulous using CD in only one jaw. Older adults wearing dental prostheses with poor occlusion and vertical dimensions presented worse masticatory function. Dental prosthesis stability was associated with lower VOH values. Higher number of chewing cycles while eating peanuts was associated with non-broken dental prosthesis use. Conclusion: Edentulous participants using CD in only one jaw and non-functional dental prosthesis use negatively affect the masticatory function of nursing home residents.