Early in contrast to recent methods to evaluate masticatory function in implant patients

Abstract

The aim was to describe early and a few recent methods to evaluate masticatory function in patients before and after implant treatment. Three Swedish doctoral theses from the early era of osseointegration and a recent Swedish doctoral thesis studying oral function in implant patients are reviewed. Furthermore, a PubMed search was conducted to identify studies published during the last 3 years related to masticatory function in implant patients. The first studies used questionnaires and methods for assessing bite force and chewing efficiency before and after implant treatment. Subsequent studies included methods evaluating dietary selection, psychological problems, occlusal perception, oral stereognosis, oral motor ability and phonetics. The results demonstrated overwhelming improvement, both subjectively and objectively, of oral functions, and in the patients' lives, after implant treatment. The methods employed appear to have been adequate and they have continued to be utilized, only slightly modified, in a number of subsequent and recent studies. New methods using custom-made equipment to monitor changes in bite force, jaw movements and muscle activity during various tasks demonstrated the important role of periodontal mechanoreceptors in biting and chewing. These methods promise to be valuable in ongoing and future prosthodontic research. The early methods used for assessment of masticatory function appear to have been adequate and they have, with only slight modifications, continued to be utilized. New methods monitoring bite force, jaw movements and muscle activity have deepened the knowledge of masticatory functions and promise to be valuable in future prosthodontic research.