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Effect of occlusal support by implant prostheses on brain function
1Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, 2-1-3 Tsurumi Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-8501, Japan. okamoto-naoko@tsurumi-u.ac.jp
Journal of Prosthodontic Research
|February 22, 2011
Summary
Gum chewing improves brain function in individuals with impaired masticatory movement, especially when supported by implant prostheses. This highlights the link between oral function and cognitive enhancement.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Dental Implantology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Chewing function is crucial for overall health and can be affected by dental status.
- Implant-supported prostheses aim to restore masticatory function.
- The impact of occlusal support on brain function is an area of ongoing research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of gum chewing on brain function.
- To determine the influence of occlusal support from implant prostheses on brain and chewing function.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 24 subjects with implant-supported fixed prostheses.
- Measured brain function using electroencephalography (EEG) and chewing function via a mandibular kinesiograph.
- Analyzed data comparing gum chewing with and without implant superstructure, categorizing subjects by brain function (normal vs. impaired regions).
Main Results:
- Brain function remained unchanged in the normal region group after gum chewing.
- Significant improvement in brain function was observed in the impaired region group post-gum chewing.
- A high positive correlation (γ=0.75) was found between brain function and masticatory movement in the impaired group.
Conclusions:
- Gum chewing can enhance brain function, particularly in individuals with impaired masticatory capabilities.
- Occlusal support provided by implant-supported fixed prostheses shows potential for improving brain function.
- Masticatory movement is strongly linked to brain function in subjects with compromised chewing ability.
