A two-colour chewing gum test for masticatory efficiency: development of different assessment methods

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Dental Research
• Masticatory Function Analysis

Background:

• Assessing masticatory efficiency is crucial for research and clinical practice.
• The two-colour chewing gum test is a common method, but its assessment validity requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate different assessment methods for the two-colour chewing gum test.
• To determine the validity of these methods for research and clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• Twenty healthy adults chewed two-colour gum for varying cycles (5-50).
• Samples were assessed visually and via digital image processing (Adobe Photoshop Elements).
• Maximum bite force was also measured.

Main Results:

• Digital image processing showed a significant correlation between colour mixing and chewing duration (P < 0.001).
• Visual assessments had lower reliability compared to digital analysis, particularly for unflattened samples.
• Inter-examiner agreement was moderate to substantial for specimens chewed 20 cycles or more.

Conclusions:

• Digital image processing provides reliable quantitative data on chewing efficiency.
• Visual assessment can be a useful screening tool in clinical settings.
• Optimal test conditions involve flattened specimens chewed for approximately 20 cycles.