Mixing ability test compared with a comminution test in persons with normal and compromised masticatory performance

A mastication test was needed with a material that forms a bolus and is soft enough to be chewed by persons with compromised oral function, in particular patients confronted with oral cancer. We therefore developed a wax-mixing ability test and compared it with a comminution test using Optocal as test food. We hypothesized that the mixing ability test would be better at differentiating between groups of persons with compromised masticatory performance than the comminution test. Sixty healthy subjects were recruited in three groups of 20, matched for age and gender: a group with natural dentition; a group with full dentures; and a group with maxillary denture and implant-supported mandibular overdenture. The mixing ability test was found to discriminate better between the two full-denture groups than the comminution test.