A review of masticatory ability and efficiency

Area of Science:

• Biomedical science
• Sociophysiology
• Dental science

Background:

• Masticatory function assessment utilizes chewing tests and subjective evaluations like interviews.
• Epidemiologic studies and literature confirm a decline in chewing ability with increased tooth loss.
• Subjective assessments of masticatory ability are frequently overestimated compared to objective functional tests.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and discuss scientific sociophysiologic and biomedical approaches for evaluating masticatory function.
• To explore the discrepancy between subjective patient reports and objective measures of chewing ability.
• To highlight masticatory function as a patient-dependent factor influenced by personal and subjective elements.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on masticatory function assessment.
• Comparison of objective chewing tests with subjective patient interviews and questionnaires.
• Analysis of sociophysiologic and biomedical evaluation methodologies.

Main Results:

• Chewing tests offer a more objective measure of masticatory efficiency than subjective reports.
• Subjective evaluations of chewing ability often do not align with objective functional test results.
• Masticatory function is significantly influenced by individual patient factors, not solely by prosthetic treatment.

Conclusions:

• Masticatory function is a complex patient-related attribute influenced by personal and subjective factors.
• Objective functional tests provide a more reliable assessment of masticatory efficiency than subjective self-reports.
• Practitioners have limited influence on improving masticatory function, which is primarily a patient-driven parameter.