The effect of mastication on occlusal parameters in healthy volunteers.

PURPOSE To assess possible associations between occlusal parameters and comminution of solid food during chewing in a group of completely dentate subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five completely dentate volunteers (28 teeth, 14 functional dental units) aged 24-50 yrs, without any complaints of the stomatognathic system participated in this study. An Optosil test was used to estimate masticatory efficiency for 20 and 80 cycles of chewing. An occlusal analysis, using the T-Scan II System, was performed to assess the following occlusal parameters: the distribution of occlusal contacts, the time of occlusion, the chewing platform area before chewing and after 20 and 80 cycles of chewing. RESULTS The parameters, that were taken into account: i. X50 for 20 and 80 cycles of chewing, ii. the occlusion time, iii. the occlusal contact area. The occlusion time decreased after 20 and 80 chewing cycles (mean TO0=0.28+/-0.07 vs TO20=0.21+/-0.05 s vs TO80=0.18+/-0.05 s, respectively). The mean value of the chewing platform area was 125.12+/-46.5 mm2. CONCLUSION Prolongation of chewing produces, shortening of the occlusion time while the chewing platform area remains at the same level independent of the number of chewing cycles.