[A modification of the masticatory test]

Theoretical grounds were provided for a novel mastication test. In a group of 13 males and 12 females aged 17 to 25 with intact dentition and orthognathic occlusion the mastication was functionally assessed. Mastication effect was enhanced with increasing quantity of mastication movements, decreasing mastication capacity and efficiency. With forced mastication the effect increased, mastication capacity remained unchanged, the efficiency fell. As the test portion increased, the mastication effect, capacity and efficiency all increased. This is the first demonstration of linear correlation between mastication effect and the integral of bioelectric activity of major mastication muscles while mastication movements constant.