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Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
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Mastication and oral sensory function in frail edentulous elderly: a case-control study
Olívia Maria Costa Figueredo1, Mariana Barbosa Câmara-Souza1, Talita Malini Carletti1
1Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontology, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil.
International Dental Journal
|January 10, 2020
Summary
Frail elderly individuals exhibit diminished maximum bite force and poorer masticatory performance. However, oral sensory function remains unaffected, and bite force correlates with grip strength.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Oral Health
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Frailty is a significant concern in elderly populations, impacting overall health and function.
- Edentulism, the loss of all teeth, affects masticatory capabilities and nutritional intake in older adults.
- Understanding the oral health status of frail edentulous elderly is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess maximum bite force (MBF), masticatory performance, and oral sensory function (OSF) in frail versus non-frail edentulous elderly.
- To investigate the relationship between maximum bite force (MBF) and maximum grip strength (MGS) in this population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 20 edentulous elderly participants, categorized by frailty phenotype (FP).
- Standardized complete dentures were provided, and assessments were conducted after 2 months.
- Measurements included MBF using pressure sensors, masticatory performance via sieving (X50), OSF using stereognosis, and MGS with a dynamometer.
Main Results:
- Frail elderly demonstrated significantly reduced MBF and impaired masticatory performance (larger X50 values) compared to non-frail counterparts.
- No significant difference in oral sensory function (OSF) was observed between the frail and non-frail groups.
- A moderate positive correlation was found between maximum bite force (MBF) and maximum grip strength (MGS).
Conclusions:
- Frailty in edentulous elderly is associated with decreased maximum bite force and reduced masticatory efficiency.
- Oral sensory function appears to be independent of frailty status in this demographic.
- Maximum bite force is a potential indicator of overall physical strength in frail edentulous elderly individuals.
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