• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.216-223
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate factors affecting the assessment of objective and subjective masticatory ability in the elderly, and to evaluate masticatory ability assessment more accurately. Methods: A total of 112 participants were recruited after oral examination in senior citizen welfare facilities. The participants' masticatory ability was evaluated objectively (Mixing ability index; MAI), and subjectively (Key food intake ability; KFIA). Participants' general characteristics and oral health-related variables were also recorded. Based on masticatory ability assessment, participants were classified as either high or low. IBM SPSS Statistics Ver.23.0 was used for all analyses, including descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman rank correlation, and Logistic regression analysis. Results: Higher masticatory ability was positively correlated with higher scores on MAI and KFIA. Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between MAI and KFIA. When analyzing factors affecting objective and subjective masticatory ability assessments, Functional tooth units (FTUs) were revealed as a related factor. In subjective masticatory ability assessment, oral moisture, difficulty in chewing, and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) were also influential factors. Conclusions: In order to accurately assess masticatory ability, it is necessary to use both objective and subjective measures. Additionally, to improve the masticatory ability in the elderly, treatment should be provided to improve overall oral health and satisfaction.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.135-147
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• 2010

In this study, the objective masticatory efficiency of two groups of temporomandibular disorder patients, pain and sound groups, was compared with that in a normal group using the MAI (mixing ability Index). The subjective chewing ability was evaluated using questionnaires, such as the Food Intake Ability Index (FIA) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-49K of the patients was also examined to measure the oral health-related quality of life. The results were as follows: 1. The MAI, FIA and VAS in the pain group were significantly lower than in the normal and sound groups. This shows that the chewing efficiency of the pain group was lower than the normal and sound groups (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the sound and normal groups. 2. The OHIP-49K for the oral health-related quality of life showed a significant increase in both the pain and sound groups compared with normal group. This means that the oral health-related quality of life was lower in both the pain and sound groups. 3. There was a correlation between the MAI, FIA and VAS (P<0.01) in all subjects (71 persons). The OHIP-49K was associated with the FIA and VAS. 4. There was a correlation between the FIA and VAS (P<0.05) in the sound group but no correlation in the other groups. 5. There was a correlation between the FIA and VAS in all groups. 6. The VAS was increased significantly in the pain group according to the level of pain reduction after treatment (P<0.05). However, there was no significant increase in the MAI, even though there was an improvement in masticatory efficiency. In addition, there was no difference in the FIA and OHIP-49K according to the level of pain reduction after treatment. In this study, it is believed that pain is a main factor decreasing the masticatory efficiency in patients with temporomandibular disorders. Moreover, TMJ sounds decrease the quality of life but do not decrease the masticatory efficiency. Therefore, it is important to control the pain in order to improve the masticatory efficiency in temporomandibular disorder patients. Moreover, managing both pain and sound can improve the quality of life.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.205-209
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• 2015

Purpose: Dental implants present several advantages over other tooth replacement options. However, there has been little research on masticatory function in relation to implant treatment. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the improvement of masticatory function two weeks after implant restoration. Methods: Masticatory ability was evaluated with the subjective food intake ability (FIA) and objective mixing ability index (MAI) methods. Fifty-four subjects with first and second missing molars completed the study. The subjects were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire about 30 different food items, and to chew wax samples 10 times both before and two weeks after implant restoration. A total of 108 waxes were analyzed with an image analysis program. Results: Dental implant restoration for lost molar teeth on one side increased the FIA score by 9.0% (P<0.0001). The MAI score also increased, by 14.3% after implant restoration (P<0.0001). Comparison between the good and poor mastication groups, which were subdivided based on the median MAI score before implant restoration, showed that the FIA score of the poor group was enhanced 1.1-fold while its MAI score was enhanced 2.0-fold two weeks after an implant surgery. Conclusions: Using the FIA and MAI assessment methods, this study showed that masticatory function was improved two weeks after implant restoration. In particular, the enhancement of masticatory function by implant restoration was greater in patients with relatively poor initial mastication than in those with good initial mastication.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2015

PURPOSE. To assess function by identifying changes in swallowing and masticatory performance in maxillary obturator prosthesis wearers. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sixty subjects were recruited for the study, of which 20 were obturator wearers, 20 were completely dentulous and 20 had removable partial/complete dentures with similar Eichner's Index. Swallowing ability was evaluated with and without obturator using the "Water Drinking Test"; Masticatory performance was evaluated with the Sieve test; and maximum occlusal force was recorded with the help of a digital bite sensor. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 15.0 with a confidence level at 95%. RESULTS. Profile, behavior of drinking and time taken to drink were significantly improved (P<.001) in subjects after wearing obturator. Masticatory performance was not significantly different (P=.252) in obturator wearer when compared with dentulous or removable partial/complete denture wearer, but significantly (P<.001) high inter group difference in maximum occlusal force existed. Correlation between masticatory performance and maximum occlusal force was not significant (P=.124). CONCLUSION. Swallowing ability was significantly improved after wearing obturator but masticatory performance was not significantly different from those having similar occlusal support zone in their dentition.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.53-67
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• 2013

This study was aimed to evaluate the masticatory efficiency after botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection during 12 weeks using objective and subjective test. Also, we compared the difference of masticatory efficiency between group that injected into the masseter muscle only (M-group) and group that injected into the masseter and temporalis muscle (M-T group). The mixing ability index (MAI) was used as the objective indicator, and visual analogue scale (VAS) and food intake ability (FIA) index were used as the subjective indicators. It was concluded that masticatory efficiency was significantly lowered after a BTX-A injection into the masticatory muscle, but it gradually recovered in a predictable pattern by the 12 weeks. The disturbance of subjective masticatory efficiency was lasted longer than objective masticatory efficiency. The masticatory efficiency was lower in M-T group than M group. It was statistically significant in the VAS and FIA at 4 weeks, but the MAI showed no significancy. After 4weeks, there was rapid recovery of muscle function in M-T group, and the difference between two groups was not significant. It could be concluded that there will be no serious disturbance of mastication compared to injection is done only into the masseter muscle, even if injection is done into the masseter and temporalis muscle in dose of this study. According to the food properties, it was confirmed that people feel more discomfort on taking hard and tough foods after BTX-A injection and not only hard foods, but also intake of soft and runny foods were influenced by botulinum toxin injection.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.129-136
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between oral health status and body mass index (BMI) in adults over 65 years old. Methods: The study subjects were 4,550 adults over 65 years old from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES V) in 2010-2012. Mastication-related oral health status included the number of remaining teeth, and mean number of decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth(DMFT). Body mass index(BMI, $kg/m^2$) was categorized as underweight(<18.5), normal weight (18.5-22.9), overweight(23.0-24.9), and obese(${\geq}25.0$). Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association of BMI categories with the number of remaining teeth and DMFT. Results: The mean number of DMFT was highest($13.0{\pm}0.7$) in the underweight group and lowest($8.8{\pm}0.3$) in the obese group. Those having less favorable masticatory ability, and fewer number of remaining teeth and no prosthesis, tended to be underweight. Those having a higher number of remaining teeth and prosthetic teeth tended to be overweight or obese. In the multinomial logistic regression analysis, compared with those having 20 or more remaining teeth, including prosthetic teeth, those having less than 20 remaining teeth and no prosthesis had 4.48 times higher odds ratio of being underweight. DMFT was positively associated with underweight, while negatively associated with overweight or obesity. Conclusions: The masticatory ability and dental caries prevention maintained the healthy body weight in adults of old age.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.151-157
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in masticatory efficiency among patients with different Angle's classes of malocclusion and to assess the correlation between masticatory efficiency and the occlusal contact area. Methods: The mixing ability index (MAI) was calculated for measuring masticatory efficiency of 61 adult patients according to Angle's classifications of malocclusion. The study included 25, 15, and 21 patients with Angle's Class I, II, and III malocclusions, respectively. Silicone interocclusal recording material was used to measure the occlusal contact area. Results: Both the MAI and occlusal contact area showed the highest average values in the Class I malocclusion group, followed by the Class II and Class III malocclusion groups. No significant difference was observed in the MAI values between the Class I and Class II malocclusion groups (p > 0.05), whereas a significant difference was observed between the Class I and Class III malocclusion groups (p < 0.01) and between the Class II and Class III malocclusion groups (p < 0.05). A weak positive correlation was also observed between the MAI and occlusal contact area (p < 0.01, $r^2=0.13$). Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that masticatory efficiency was the highest in patients with Angle's Class I malocclusion, followed by those with Angle's Class II and Angle's Class III malocclusions. Moreover, a weak positive correlation was observed between masticatory efficiency and the occlusal contact area.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.170-179
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• 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the masticatory performance of Korean children and adolescents and to investigate related factors. Early loss of primary molars, degree of occlusion of first molars, occlusal relationship of first molars, and presence of anterior crossbite were considered. From March 2020 to July 2021, 56 children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 12 were included. The mixing ability index (MAI) was calculated to evaluate the masticatory efficiency of children and adolescents. The subjects were classified into three groups according to the number of early lost primary molars; normal dentition, 1 - 2 teeth lost, more than 3 teeth lost. The number of participants are 23, 18, and 15, respectively. There was no difference in the MAI values between the normal dentition group and the group has 1 - 2 teeth lost. However, when 3 or more primary molars were lost, the MAI value decreased and a significant difference was observed. This study is the first study to evaluate the masticatory performance of children and adolescents in Korea, and it will be helpful to pediatric dentists who evaluate the masticatory performance of children and adolescents and strive to improve the masticatory efficiency of children and adolescents in clinical practice.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.49-55
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• 2020

Purpose: This study investigated the association between the objective indicator of masticatory function assessment and the masseter muscle thickness (MMT) using ultrasound imaging. Methods: A total of 99 subjects (males: 24, females: 75, mean age: 76) were analyzed. The maximum bite force (MBF) was measured with a pressure-sensitive sheet and an image scanner. The mixing ability index (MAI) was calculated by image analysis after asking the subjects to chew a wax specimen. The MMT during rest and clenching were obtained with a diagnostic ultrasound system, and the difference in MMT during rest and MMT during clenching was defined as the difference in masseter muscle thickness (DMMT). Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the independent variables affecting MBF and MAI. Results: The MBF showed correlation with the number of remaining teeth (β=0.346, p=0.002) and DMMT (β=0.251, p=0.011). The MAI correlated with only the number of remaining teeth (β=0.476, p<0.001). Conclusions: The DMMT reflects the state of masseter muscle contraction, and can be used as a predictor as well as the number of teeth when assessing masticatory function.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2010

Purpose: This study has been conducted in order to examine the oral health status and dental prostheses status, and the effects of dental prostheses to the oral health related quality of life among the elderly using social welfare centers. Material and methods: For this purpose, the researcher conducted a questionnaire survey and oral examination of 275 samples of old persons using 7 social welfare centers located in Daejeon metropolitan city. The oral health related quality of life was measured by GOHAI (Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index). Results: 1. The less age and the more education and the more subjective economic status and living with spouse of family status, the higher GOHAI showed. 2. Mean age of first using of removable denture is 62.11 years old and average life cycle of removable denture is 10.76years. 57.5% of study subjects use removable denture and complete denture user of study subjects are 13.8%. 3. In the case that they use fixed prostheses rather than removable ones and in the complete denture they use both sides (upper and lower) rather than single side, showed higher GOHAI. 4. In the case that they showed higher degrees of satisfaction with dental prostheses and can use them always and showed no necessity for new dental prostheses and denture adaptation is good, GOHAI showed higher. Conclusion: In order to improve oral health related quality of life among the elderly who have many missing teeth, it is required to restore their masticatory ability to the normal level by restoring the missing teeth which has lost its function through providing proper dental prostheses.