Influence of periodontal treatment on objective measurement of masticatory performance.

In a previous study, we evaluated the influence of periodontal treatment and physiological parameters on the subjective perception of mastication using the Oral Impact on Daily Performance Questionnaire (OIDP). In this study, we investigated the influence of periodontal treatment on the objective measures of masticatory performance in the same study sample. Patients with chronic periodontitis (n = 28) were examined on two occasions with a 45-day interval. Electrical activity of the masticatory muscles and maximum bite force were determined. In addition, masticatory performance was assessed using silicone impression blocks as test material. The median particle size of the chewed blocks was determined employing a sieving method. The number of teeth and the probing depth were also recorded. The probing depth was significantly reduced following treatment (P < 0.001). The median particle size of the chewed material was also reduced, which indicates a significant improvement in masticatory performance after treatment (P < 0.001). Bite force and muscle activity were significantly correlated both before and after treatment (P < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between masticatory performance and number of teeth (P < 0.05); moreover, individuals with a lower number of teeth exhibited poorer masticatory performance (P = 0.01). Periodontal treatment had a positive influence on masticatory performance 45 days after conservative treatment.

Treatment of chronic periodontitis and its impact on mastication.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of conventional periodontal treatment of chronic periodontitis on the perception of mastication. METHODS: The patients (n = 28; age range: 23 to 56 years, mean age: 37.9 years) were evaluated on two occasions (before and after treatment) with a 45-day interval using the Oral Impact on Daily Performance questionnaire. An electromyography system was used for the determination of activity in muscles of mastication and bite force. Masticatory performance was assessed using a test material. The median particle size of the masticated material was determined using a sieve method and the Rosin-Rammler equation. The clinical criteria were the number of teeth and probing depth, both determined by a single calibrated observer masked to the treatment phase. The data were analyzed in the pretreatment and post-treatment periods using Wilcoxon test; Spearman correlation coefficient; and two multiple linear regression models (backward stepwise procedure). RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation between the number of teeth (number of mastication units) and difficulty eating (P <0.05) before and after treatment. Probing depth had a positive relationship with the total Oral Impact on Daily Performance score before treatment (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The subjective perception of the impact of oral health on mastication diminished after periodontal treatment. The number of teeth had considerable importance in the perception of impact on mastication in the sample studied.