Evaluation of objective masticatory performance: an experimental study in healthy adults

This study aimed to objectively assess masticatory performance and to identify related factors among healthy adults. An experimental study was conducted on 75 healthy adults with a mean age of 51 years between January and June 2023. Masticatory performance was objectively assessed using the sieve method. Spearman correlation examined the association between masticatory performance and age, Functional Tooth Units (FTUs), and total Oral Behavior Checklist-21 (OBC-21) scores. Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine its relationship with sex. Linear Regression was performed to test each factor's relationship with masticatory performance after controlling for other factors. Masticatory performance was associated with age (Spearman coefficient: -0.35, p = 0.002), and FTUs (Spearman coefficient: 0.66, p < 0.001), with higher FTU scores associated with a 30% improvement in chewing performance. Sex and OBC scores showed no significant effect on mastication performance. Multiple linear regression confirmed strong association between masticatory performance and FTUs (standardized ß = 0.670, p < 0.001). FTUs is the major determinant of masticatory performance. Restoring and preserving FTUs through dental care can significantly improve mastication, nutrition, and quality of life, particularly for older individuals.