Hard Food Research Articles

Differences in body composition between urban and rural Mallards, Anas platyrhynchos

AbstractAnthropogenic feeding of wildlife provides a valuable opportunity for people to engage with animals, but such feeding has the potential to be detrimental to the species involved. Ducks are frequently fed at urban ponds globally, yet the health impacts of an urban lifestyle for birds are poorly documented. We studied urban and rural Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in the Manawatū-Whanganui region (New Zealand). Mallards are opportunistic omnivores that have a phenotypically flexible gastrointestinal system. As urban Mallards consume considerable amounts of low-fibre, high carbohydrate foods via anthropogenic feeding, we predicted that urban Mallards would have smaller gastrointestinal tract organs and higher fat levels than rural ducks. We compared gross body composition of Mallards in a modified environment with high levels of feeding by humans and in rural habitats. We also evaluated other health-associated aspects including fat deposit size, liver fat content and haemosiderin (liver iron deposit) levels. Contrary to predictions, urban birds had larger gizzards and caeca and were no fatter than rural birds; rural birds additionally had larger pectoralis major muscles. These differences are probably associated with broader ecological and behavioural factors than with the provision of anthropogenic food per se [in particular the presence of hard foods (acorns and nuts) for urban birds, and higher flight activity of rural birds]. Longer caeca in urban birds could, however, relate to immunity rather than microbial fermentation of cellulose. Overall, while the nature of the local environment does affect Mallard physiology, no detrimental effects of urban living were evident in this study.

Mandibular and palatal tori exposed by trauma are risk factors for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: a report from the Copenhagen ONJ cohort

Objectives Mandibular and palatal tori are usually considered anatomic risk factors for the development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ/ONJ). However, trauma may also be involved in the pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and characteristics of MRONJ related to tori within the Copenhagen ONJ cohort and to evaluate trauma as a possible risk factor. Study Design The Copenhagen ONJ Cohort included 391 consecutive patients with MRONJ, comprising seen between January 1, 2010, and December1, 2018. All patients had systematic records of demographic, clinical examination, and radiographic imaging data. The type and duration of antiresorptive treatment was recorded. All patients had ONJ staging, with surgery, including removal of the tori, was performed for stage 2 and 3 as well as some stage 1cases. Results Twenty-nine patients had tori related to MRONJ (7.4%). Of these, 27 had mandibular tori, and 2 had palatal tori. Of the 29 patients, 16 had cancers, 10 had osteoporosis, and 3 had no systemic diseases. Antiresorptive treatment included bisphosphonates (13) and denosumab (12), and methotrexate (1), and 3 cases did not receive any antiresorptives or methotrexate. Onset of MRONJ in 17 cases (59%) was associated with trauma, including tooth extraction, impression taking for dentures, intubation for general anesthesia, denture-related ulcers, and eating hard food items. In 12 cases (41%), no trauma history could be verified or identified. Patients with ONJ and tori underwent surgery in 17 cases (59%). All 17 patients (100%) healed, with 2 patients awaiting surgery. Ten were conservatively treated, and in 4 (40%) a sequestrum was exfoliated and healed spontaneously. The remaining 6 patients had either unchanged or worsening MRONJ. Conclusions Here, we reported a series of 29 cases of MRONJ with related mandibular or palatal tori among 391 consecutive patients in the Copenhagen ONJ Cohort . We documented that 59% of these cases were associated with trauma, and that in some cases, trauma was preventable (e.g., trauma from impression taking and intubation). Dentists as well as anesthesiologists should be aware of the presence of tori in patients on antiresorptive therapy. Surgical treatment was more successful (100%) compared with nonsurgical treatment (40%).

Effect of Sudden Deprivation of Sensory Inputs From Periodontium on Mastication.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of sudden deprivation of sensory inputs from the periodontium on jaw kinematics and time-varying activation profile of the masseter muscle.MethodsFourteen (age range: 22–26 years; four men) healthy and natural dentate volunteers participated in a single experimental session. During the experiment, the participants were asked to eat six hard visco-elastic test food models, three each before and after an anesthetic intervention. The movements of the jaw in three dimensions and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the masseter muscle on the chewing side were recorded.ResultsThe results of the study showed no significant differences in the number of chewing cycles (P = 0.233) and the duration of chewing sequence (P = 0.198) due to sudden deprivation of sensory inputs from the periodontium. However, there was a significant increase in the jaw opening velocity (P = 0.030) and a significant increase in the duration of occlusal phase (P = 0.004) during the anesthetized condition. The EMG activity of the jaw closing phase was significantly higher during the control condition [116.5 arbitrary units (AU)] than anesthetized condition (93.9 AU). The temporal profile of the masseter muscle showed a biphasic increase in the excitatory muscle drive in the control condition but this increase was virtually absent during the anesthetized condition.ConclusionSudden deprivation of sensory inputs from the periodontium affects the jaw kinematics and jaw muscle activity, with a clear difference in the time-varying activation profile of the masseter muscle. The activation profile of the masseter muscle shows that periodontal mechanoreceptors contribute to approximately 20% of the EMG activity during the jaw closing phase.

Clinical denture base deformation with different attachments used to stabilize implant overdentures: A crossover study.

The aim of this crossover study was to compare clinical denture base deformation with different attachments used for mandibular implant overdentures. Twenty-four patients with edentulous mandibular ridges received two implants in the former canine regions. Three months thereafter, each patient was randomly given the following implant overdentures in a crossover design: (a) bar implant overdentures (BOD), (b) resilient telescopic implant overdentures (TOD), and (c) stud implant overdentures (SOD). Six linear strain gauges were attached to the lingual surface of the implant overdentures opposite to the abutments (Ch1and Ch2 at clenching [left] side and Ch5and Ch6 at non-clenching [right] side) and at midline (Ch3 and Ch4). Three months after wearing each implant overdenture, strain registrations were performed during clenching without food and during clenching on soft (cake) and hard (carrot) foods. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare denture strains between group, channels, and clenching conditions. Bar implant overdentures showed significantly higher (p<.001) total microstrains (403.7±306.8μɛ) than TOD (146.9±131.8μɛ) and SOD (99.8±75.6μɛ). No difference in microstrain was noted between TOD and SOD (p=.06, n.s.). Channels opposite to the abutments at clenching side (ch2) recorded the highest total strain during clenching hard (390.4±381.6μɛ) and soft (223.5±220.2μɛ) foods. Clenching hard food was associated with significant higher total microstrain than clenching soft food (p=.002). Telescopic and stud attachments are recommended to be used for two-implant mandibular over dentures as they were associated with reduced denture base deformation compared with bar attachments.

GAMBARAN DENSITAS TULANG ALVEOLAR KERANGKA MANUSIA PAWON MENGGUNAKAN RADIOGRAF CBCT 3D

Density of alveolar bone in Pawon Man can describe the life or behavior in the past asdiet and culture. The aim of this study is to determine dietary habit through the density of alveolar bone of Pawon man using radiograph CBCT 3D. This research’s method was descriptive and radiographic, the samples were obtained from secondary datas of three maxillaries and three mandibulars of Pawon Man. This research was conducted using software Ez Implant, then the results were recorded, collected, and presented in tabular form. The result showed that the average value of density of alveolar bone in maxillary anterior was 709 HU and in maxillary posterior was 622 HU and the average value of density of alveolar bone in maxilla was 618 HU, while the average value of density of alveolar bone in mandibular anterior was 601 HU and mandibular posterior was 711 HU with total average value of density of alveolar bone in mandibular was 708 HU, and the region with the highest average value of density was left posterior region of mandible with 713HU. In conclusions, descriptively, the value of density of alveolar bone in mandible tended to be higher than in maxilla, and the left posterior region of mandible has the highest value of density of Pawon Man, allegedly Pawon Man used to chew on the left posterior teeth, thus, the load of chewing and the hardness of food can affect the growth and development of the jaw structure.

Fish oil-loaded emulsions stabilized by synergetic or competitive adsorption of gelatin and surfactants on oil/water interfaces

The simultaneous application of proteins and surfactants for emulsion preparation and stabilization is a research hotspot in the field of emulsions, and their interfacial adsorption mechanisms remain unclear. In order to analyze the interaction mechanism of gelatin with low-molecular-weight surfactants, we mainly explored the preparation and storage of fish oil-loaded gelatin/surfactant-stabilized emulsions in this work. The results demonstrated that gelatin and four types of surfactants were synergetically (Span 80 and soybean lecithin) or competitively (Tween 80 and SDS) adsorbed on the oil/water interfaces in the emulsions. The adsorption behaviors affected emulsion stability (creaming, liquid-gel transformation, and droplet coalescence behaviors) and size distribution of emulsion droplets. These fish oil-loaded gelatin/surfactant-stabilized emulsions have the potential to reduce the disadvantages of fish oils and to provide multiple prospective applications in beverages, hard foods, and alkaline foods. It would also be beneficial to the basic understanding of protein/surfactant interfacial adsorption in emulsion formation.

ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF IMPLANT OVERDENTURE RETAINED BY TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF ATTACHMENTS (RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the influence of two different types of attachments on the masticatory function of complete denture wearers through studying the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the masseter and anterior fibers of temporalis muscles.Material and methods: Fourteen completely edentulous patients with problematic existing mandibular dentures received new conventional complete dentures. Two implants were installed in the mandibular canine regions. After verification of Osseointegration. Patients were randomly divided into two groups by using closed envelope according to the type of attachments used (ball and locator) were installed onto each implant. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of masseter and anterior fibers of temporalis muscles was measured during chewing hard and soft food with conventional dentures before implant placement, one month and three months after implant retained overdentures with the two types of attachments. Data was collected and statistically analyzed.Results: The results obtained from thisstudy revealed a statistically significant increase in the muscles activity after attachment of mandibular dentures onto the implants in the studied groups. The highest activity values were reported for the locator attachment group followed by ball attachment however, the least values were recorded for the conventional complete denture. Nevertheless, the comparison between the two groups at the end of follow up period revealed a statistically insignificant difference .Conclusion: Muscles activity significantly increased after implant treatment. Thus, implant treatment greatly improves oral function. The design of implant attachments did not affect significantly the muscle activity; as no significant differences were observed among the studied attachments (Ball and locator).

Clinical evaluation of monolithic zirconia crowns for posterior teeth restorations.

Although all-ceramic crowns have excellent biocompatibility and esthetic appearance, chipping may occur. The mechanical properties of monolithic zirconia restorative material are superior to those of all-ceramic restorative materials, and chipping caused by chewing hard foods could be avoided. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of monolithic zirconia crowns for posterior teeth restorations.A total of 46 patients requiring posterior teeth restorations involving 49 teeth were treated with monolithic zirconia crown procedure. The treatment results were evaluated according to the modified California Dental Association criteria immediately after the procedure, and at 2, 24, 48, and 96 weeks after the procedure. The plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, crown marginal integrity, and attrition of the abutment teeth, antagonist teeth, corresponding contralateral teeth, and antagonist of the corresponding contralateral teeth were assessed. The patients were followed for up to 96 weeks.The marginal adaptation results of all 46 patients were evaluated as excellent, resulting in an excellent rate of 100%. Regarding the crown color match, only 3 cases (6.1%) were evaluated as acceptable. Marginal adaptation, anatomic form, crown margin integrity, color match, and gross fracture did not show significant differences compared with the different time points (P = .999). Surface texture at different time did not change significantly (P = .807). During the 96-week follow-up, 1 crack in the antagonist teeth was found in 1 patient. There were no significant differences in wear of the antagonist teeth at different time points (P = .972). The rate of “excellent” evaluation for crown restorations was 93.9% to 100%.The monolithic zirconia crown had no detectable adverse effects on the periodontal tissues, and the antagonist teeth attrition was small. Therefore, it has good potential in the clinical application of posterior teeth restorations in the short term.

PREVALENCE OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS AMONG NEPALESE POPULATION

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) comprise of a variety of clinical signs and symptoms such as joint sounds, muscle tenderness, joint tenderness, deviation, deflection, pain on mouth opening, protrusive, lateral movement and limited mouth opening which can be the result of trauma, stress, gum chewing, hard food biting habits, bruxism, long dental appointment. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in Nepalese population in Eastern Nepal.&#x0D; Methods: The study was performed from May 2018 to Oct 2018. All the patients who came to the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH) and health camps in Eastern part of Nepal were included. The self-administered questions were asked to the subjects about demographic data, different signs and symptoms of TMDs and etiological factors responsible to it.&#x0D; Results: More than two thirds of the study sample (83.96%) in the present study had one or more clinical signs and symptoms of TMDs. Deviation of mandible on mouth opening and clicking sound made up the highest percentage. Females were reported to have significantly higher prevalence of TMDs signs and symptoms than male. Disc displacement was the most prevalent disorder followed by myofascial pain and degenerative joint disorder.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results of this study show that a significant percentage of the population has signs and symptoms of TMDs. Measures should be taken to prevent and treat TMDs in this part of the world.

Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders among Nepalese Population

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) comprise of a variety of clinical signs and symptoms such as joint sounds, muscle tenderness, joint tenderness, deviation, deflection, pain on mouth opening, protru­sive, lateral movement and limited mouth opening which can be the re­sult of trauma, stress, gum chewing, hard food biting habits, bruxism, long dental appointment. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in Nepalese population in Eastern Nepal.&#x0D; Methods: The study was performed from May 2018 to Oct 2018. All the patients who came to the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH) and health camps in Eastern part of Nepal were included. The self-administered questions were asked to the subjects about demographic data, different signs and symptoms of TMDs and etiological factors responsible for it.&#x0D; Results: More than two thirds of the study sample (83.96%) in the present study had one or more clinical signs and symptoms of TMDs. Deviation of mandible on mouth opening and clicking sound made up the highest per­centage. Females were reported to have significantly higher prevalence of TMDs signs and symptoms than male. Disc displacement was the most prevalent disorder followed by myofascial pain and degenerative joint dis­order.&#x0D; Conclusions: The results of this study show that a significant percentage of the population has signs and symptoms of TMDs. Measures should be taken to prevent and treat TMDs in this part of the world.

Multiple failing maxillary implants in full arch rehabilitation‐ results of retreatment

Background Current implant research is shifting from survival to success, but failure is still an important topic to consider. When implants fail, there is often no fixed prosthetic alternative and retreatment is proposed. Current research on retreatment is predominantly based on single, early failures with survival rates varying between 71.0 and 94.6%. Retreatment of late and multiple failure is rarely described, despite the increasing incidence of failure due to peri-implantitis. Aim/Hypothesis The aim of this study was to assess implant retreatment in a group of patients with multiple failing implants after full maxillary rehabilitation, by implant removal, maxillary augmentation and placement of an overdenture supported by four to six implants. Material and Methods All consecutive patients (n = 16) referred for multiple late implant failures in rehabilitated maxillae between 2008 and 2018 were included in the study. The study was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of UMCG. All patients were treated by removal of the failing implants combined with vertical and horizontal augmentation of the maxilla using the iliac, calvarial or maxillary tuberosity bone grafts. After four months of healing, four to six implants were placed in the maxilla. Four months later, a bar-retained overdenture was made. At time of last evaluation implant survival, complications, clinical parameters, change in peri-implant bone and patient-related outcome measures were recorded. Results 76 implants were placed in 16 patients. One patient with six implants was lost to follow-up due to severe illness. Therefore, 70 implants in 15 patients were evaluated at 3.3 ± 2.5 years (range 1.1–8.6 years) after loading. Common complications were antrum perforation after implant removal (n = 4; 26.6%) and wound dehiscence after augmentation (n = 4; 26.6%). Complications did not interfere with successive implant placement. In all cases, enough bone volume was present to insert the implants. Overall implant survival was 95.7%. Three implant failures occurred within the first year of function. Peri-implant bone loss was 0.32 ± 0.46 mm, pocket probing depth was 4.55 ± 1.59 mm. Plaque, calculus, inflammation and bleeding were hardly seen (median 0). Patients scored high on satisfaction of their overdentures (mean overall score 8.7 ± 1.2, max. 10). Chewing soft and tough foods were scored as ëgoodí, hard foods were scored as ëmoderateí. Oral Health Impact Profile Score was 29.5 ± 33.3. Conclusion and Clinical Implications Removing multiple failing implants and immediate reconstruction of the maxilla with bone grafts is a safe and predictable treatment procedure when applied for an implant supported overdenture. Complications did not interfere with retreatment.

Relation of dietary preference to masticatory movement and masticatory exercises in Japanese children

ObjectiveModern Japanese children have decreased masticatory function, which can be explained by the dietary change to soft foods. In earlier studies involving children with mixed dentition, masticatory exercises were shown to improve masticatory function and modify dental arch growth. Grinding type of mastication with a wide path reportedly increases lateral growth of the dental arch. This study aimed to assess the relationship between masticatory movements and dietary preference, and how masticatory exercises affected masticatory movement during Hellman’s dental stages IIA to IIC (period of first molar eruption). DesignIn 64 Japanese pre-school children, we measured masticatory movements with foods of five different levels of hardness and investigated the dietary preference for hard foods through a questionnaire. Participants were also required to perform masticatory exercises. Masticatory movements and dietary preference for hard foods were assessed at the start (T1), conclusion (T2), and after six months of exercises (T3). Participants were allocated to Wide and Narrow groups at T1 based on their masticatory path width. ResultsBaguettes and bananas resulted in the widest and narrowest masticatory paths, respectively, at T1. Results of questionnaire indicated that those eating hard foods had a broad grinding type of masticatory path. Masticatory exercises significantly widened the masticatory path in the Narrow group demonstrating that masticatory exercises help children learn to chew with grinding strokes. Moreover, the masticatory path remained stable on assessment at T3 (six-month follow-up). ConclusionsMasticatory exercises are effective in children who are unable to grind hard foods, affecting their dietary preferences.

Changes in masseter muscle fibers by liquid diet rearing in rabbits and recovery by chewing of solid diet

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of liquid diet on the development of masseter muscle fibers and whether the changes in the masseter muscle can be recovered by chewing of solid diet. DesignMasseter muscles from 40 rabbits (solid- and liquid-diet groups, n = 30; unweaned group, n = 5; recovery group, n = 5) were histochemically examined at 4, 12, 18, and 33 weeks after birth. Six fiber types (I, IC, IIC, IIA, IIAB, and IIB) were distinguished via mATPase staining. Muscle fiber diameter and fiber type composition were measured and compared between groups. ResultsIn the liquid diet group, the diameter of types IIAB (solid group: 81.7 μm, liquid group: 60.9 μm) and IIB (solid group: 89.3 μm, liquid group: 68.8 μm) and the fiber type composition of type I (solid group: 18.4%, liquid group: 9.6%) decreased significantly at 33 weeks of age. In the recovery group, the fiber type composition of type I fibers recovered to 16.5%, while no recovery of type IIAB (56.6 μm) and IIB (64.6 μm) fiber diameter was observed. ConclusionsLiquid diet caused atrophy of muscle fibers and an increase in the proportion of fast-twitch fibers. Although the diameter and ratio of slow-twitch fibers were recovered by chewing of solid diet, recovery was not observed for fast-twitch fibers. Our findings are relevant for dental medicine as it explored the possibility of masticatory muscle function recovery by hard food.

Perbedaan Jarak Molar Kedua Ke Ramus Mandibula Akibat Konsistensi Makanan (Kajian radiograf panoramik di Instalasi Radiologi Dental Rumah Sakit Gigi dan Mulut Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi Universitas Trisakti)

Background: One of the affected factor to the distance of second molar to ramus of the mandible is environment. Environment factor that has the closest correlation with the distance of second molar to ramus of the mandible is the consistency of food. The aim of this study was to find the differences of the distance between distal surface of second molar to ramus of the mandible based on food consistency. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 41 female and 33 male, between 19 to 30 years old, who consume hard consistency food or soft consistency food divided using questionnaire. The samples had complete teeth up to the second molar, which were reviewed from panoramic radiograph. Results: Data analysis shows that there is differences in the distance of second molar distal to ramus of the mandible based on food consistency, which average value is 10.38 mm for the male who consume hard food consistency and 7.35 mm for the male who consume soft food consistency. Conclusions: The average value for the female who consume hard food consistency is 9.21 mm while the value is 5.72 mm for female who consume soft food consistency.

The Effect of Occlusion and Two Denture Base Material on Muscle Activity and Masticatory Efficiency of Complete Dentures

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of occlusion and two different denture base material on muscle activity and masticatory efficiency of complete dentures. Material and Methods: Two complete dentures of different material, conventional and flexible denture base material with different occlusal schemes, starting with unbalanced occlusion and converted into bilateral balanced occlusion through three different ways of remounting, laboratory, clinical and intra-oral selective grinding applied on three different posterior teeth assemblies were delivered to patients who were totally edentulous (all were men range age 50-60 years). Muscle activity and masticatory efficiency were evaluated with two different type of food, carrots resembling hard food and banana resembling soft food. The occlusal schemes were switched on the patients’ denture bases. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA and t test were used to examine the alterations between the occlusal schemes, denture base materials and chewing strokes and their relations. Results: No significant difference was found in electromyographic activity or masticatory efficiency between the occlusal schemes and denture base materials with soft food (p<0.05). A significant difference was found in electromyographic activity and masticatory efficiency with bilateral balanced occlusion obtained through clinical remounting with flexible denture base material with hard food. Conclusions: Within the limitation of this study, it was concluded that complete dentures with bilateral balanced occlusion obtained through clinical remounting found significant differences in muscle activity and masticatory efficiency with hard food. Flexible dentures are better than conventional dentures in muscle activity and masticatory efficiency.

Preliminary assessment of hadrosaur dental microwear from the Cerro del Pueblo Formation (Upper Cretaceous: Campanian) of Coahuila, northeastern Mexico

Here we report new hadrosaur remains recovered from the Cerro del Pueblo Formation (Upper Cretaceous: Campanian) at La Parrita locality, northeastern Mexico. Although the material is fragmentary, the identification of dental microwear in three out of the four teeth collected is notable. This sample allows for a preliminary assessment of hadrosaur dental microwear from this geographic region and time frame. The variables studied were the orientation and average count of scratches, average count of pits, and average microwear feature width in an area of 400 X 400 µm at 35X magnification. The results show a predominance of dorsodistally-ventromesially inclined scratches in all three teeth indicating that the mandible primarily moved in an orthopalinal direction during the power stroke. The pattern of scratch orientation we recorded is comparable to that reported for different hadrosaur species from Alberta, Canada, and Wyoming, U.S.A.; suggesting similar jaw mechanics in the hadrosaurs from Coahuila. In contrast, there are significant differences in the average number of pits and microwear feature width between the Alberta and the Coahuila hadrosaurs samples, with the latter presenting more pits and finer microwear features. Given the similar jaw mechanics between the Alberta and Coahuila hadrosaurs, suggested by our analysis, the difference in average number of pits and microwear feature width is probably due to differences in diet and/or the type and amount of grit ingested during feeding. The greater number of pits in the hadrosaurs from Coahuila might indicate that these individuals ingested a greater proportion of hard food items than the Alberta hadrosaurs.

Dental occlusion as one cause of tinnitus

There is large support in literature linking tinnitus to dental occlusion and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). However, there is no model to explain such a link. This hypothesis explains how the fusimotor system of the muscles innervated by the trigeminal motor nucleus is affected by inadequacies in the occlusion of the teeth that cause changes in posture and movement of the mandible. Reptile to mammal evolution shows that stomatognathic structures underwent changes related to mastication. Among several changes, there was the appearance of a new articulation between the mandible and skull: the temporomandibular joint. The bones of the old reptile joint, quadrate-articular, have detached from the mandible and are part of the middle ear bone chain. The former becomes the incus and the latter the malleus. This bone change also carried the tensor tympani and its trigeminal motor innervation. Inadequate occlusal contacts give rise to an adapted function of the mandible and the most common compensatory muscular response is hypertonia involving all mandibular muscles, including the tensor tympani. A fundamental clinical feature that demonstrates the involvement of the trigeminal fusimotor system is the characteristic pain by palpation, but no pain on the mandibular movement. Muscle pain is always felt in the dermatome innervated by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve, which carries the motor fibers, reported as tightening, similar to cramp, and has regular behavior in intensity, duration and frequency. In addition, the patient has increased musculature volume, detected by palpation of certain anatomical landmarks, but with loss of functional efficiency. The neuromotor control of the mandibular movements is poor and when asked to make lateral jaw movement touching the teeth, it is common to observe that the patient moves the lips, eyes, and even turns the head in the same direction as the movement. There is also difficulty eating hard foods and talking fast. Tongue biting while chewing is frequent, meaning that these non-physiological events surpass protective reflex circuits. The report of ear pain, tinnitus, blocked ear sensation and sudden hearing loss is common in such patients, compatible with the tonic contraction of the tensor tympani. The fusimotor system hypothesis is able to explain all events related to the symptoms and helps to establish a correct diagnosis for certain types of hearing disorders.

Food avoidance is associated with reduced dentitions and edentulousness

ObjectivesTo investigate associations between food avoidance and dental status, age, gender, and socio-economic status (SES).Materials and methodsThe Chinese sample comprised 1463 dentulous (≥ 1 tooth in each jaw) and 124 edentulous (in one or both jaws) participants aged ≥ 40 yrs. The Vietnamese sample comprised 2820 dentulous and 253 edentulous participants aged ≥ 20 yrs. Food avoidance due to chewing difficulties was scored for regionally common 4 soft and 4 hard foods. Dental status was classified according to the multi-level hierarchical dental functional classification system (HDFC) based on the number and location of teeth and posterior occlusal pairs. Associations were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analyses.ResultsFor dentulous participants, the chance of avoiding foods was significantly larger with < 10 teeth in each jaw (OR = 2.26 (Chinese sample), respectively 1.74 (Vietnamese sample)), incomplete anterior region (OR = 1.78, respectively 1.84), “impaired” premolar region (OR = 2.22, respectively 1.71), or “impaired” molar region (OR = 2.46, respectively 1.84). Edentulous participants had twice the chance of avoiding foods (OR = 2.01 respectively 2.20). Avoiding foods was significantly associated with higher age. Participants of low SES (Chinese sample, OR = 1.93) and females (Vietnamese sample, OR = 1.27) had a larger chance of avoiding foods.ConclusionsAvoiding foods was significantly associated with reduced dentitions, edentulousness, and higher age; low SES only in the Chinese and being female only in the Vietnamese sample.Clinical relevanceIncomplete anterior regions, “impaired” premolar or molar regions, and especially edentulousness can be considered significant risk indicators for food avoidance.

Which swallowing difficulty of food consistency is best predictor for oropharyngeal dysphagia risk in older person?

The present study aimed to investigate which swallowing difficulty of food consistency in participants over 65years of age who did not have any disease that might affect swallowing functions, and which symptoms were most likely related to oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). The cross-sectional and multicenter study was conducted at 12 hospitals including 883 participants aged ≥65years who were fed orally and who were admitted to the physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinics between September 2017 and December 2018. Demographic characteristics were recorded. Katz Daily Living Activities Index (KDLAI), swallowing-related quality of life scale (Swal-QoL) and 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) were used. The participants were asked the "yes" or "no" questions including swallowing difficulty of various types of food consistency with the face-to-face interview. Participants were divided into two groups as normal swallowing (EAT-10 < 3 group) (n = 639) and OD risk groups (EAT-10 ≥ 3 group) (n = 244) according to the EAT-10 scores. While there was no difference related to number of teeth and KDLAI scores between groups (p = 0.327 and p = 0.221, respectively), the significant difference was found between groups in terms of yes/no questions and Swal-QoL scores (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that eating difficulty of mixed content food provided maximum sensitivity (99%) and eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquid had maximum specificity (77%). The higher area under curve was in eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquid (0.891), and higher positive likelihood ratio (LR) was eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquid (4.26) as well as lower negative LR was eating difficulty of mixed content food (0.01). The higher diagnostic odds ratio was eating difficulty of mixed content food (367.0), and the higher posttest probability was eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquid (0.211). While eating difficulty of hard solid food is the most common symptom in healthy participants over 65years of age, the eating difficulty of thick liquids is the highest predictive value related to oropharyngeal dysphagia risk. Also, the eating difficulty of mixed content food had the highest diagnostic ratio.

Dental microwear texture analysis of Pliocene Suidae from Hadar and Kanapoi in the context of early hominin dietary breadth expansion

Stable carbon isotope studies suggest that early hominins may have diversified their diet as early as 3.76 Ma. Early Pliocene hominins, including Australopithecus anamensis, had diets that were dominated by C3 resources while Late Pliocene hominins, including Australopithecus afarensis—a putative descendant of A. anamensis—had diets that included both C3 and C4 resources. It has been hypothesized that the expansion of C4 grasslands in eastern Africa during the Pliocene could have prompted hominins to incorporate C4 resources in their diets. However, dental microwear analyses suggest that diet diversification did not involve changes in the mechanical properties of the foods consumed. To provide contextual and comparative information on this issue, the diet of suids from the A. anamensis site of Kanapoi and the A. afarensis site of Hadar is investigated. Using dental microwear texture analyses, it is shown that despite significant dietary overlap, there is evidence for dietary niche partitioning among suids. Based on comparisons with the diet of extant African suids, it is inferred that Nyanzachoerus pattersoni (n = 21) was a mixed feeder, Nyanzachoerus jaegeri (n = 4) and Notochoerus euilus (n = 61) were habitual grazers, and Kolpochoerus afarensis (n = 34) had a broad diet that included hard brittle foods and underground resources. The dental microwear of Ny. pattersoni and Ny. jaegeri/No. euilus do not differ significantly between Kanapoi and Hadar. Most differences are driven by K. afarensis, a suid absent at Kanapoi but present at Hadar. Food availability probably differed between Hadar and Kanapoi, and it is likely that A. afarensis did not exploit some of the foods (e.g., underground resources) consumed by suids. It is hypothesized that despite the incorporation of C4 resources in the diet, a significant dietary change towards flexible diets in the hominin lineage had yet to come.