Objectives: Satisfactory masticatory function is a significant indicator of improved oral health related quality of life in older adults, either with or artificial teeth. The purpose of this study was to examine masticatory performance of older adults with different prostho-dontic reconstructions and occlusion, as well as to compare subjective and objective as-sessment of chewing performance. Material and Methods: This study included 100 partici-pants aged 65 and more. The chewing function questionnaire (CFQ) with answers on the Likert scale 0 - 4 (0 = no difficulties; 4 = maximum difficulties) was used as an indicator of subjective masticatory assessment. The two-color chewing gum test was used as objective assessment of masticatory function (mixing ability), based on the Z-score values. Dental occlusion was assessed using functional teeth units (FTU). Results: The results ob-tained using the CFQ and the clinical mixing ability test are in compliance with each other (r = 0.742). A decrease in the number of natural teeth, especially posterior teeth, progres-sively reduced chewing ability and increased difficulties in mastication. Participants with less FTUs, or with FTUs that are a part of removable denture, had greater reduction in mas-ticatory function compared to those with FTUs composed of natural teeth or fixed partial dentures. Conclusion: This study revealed a strong positive correlation between the subjective masticatory assessment in older adults using the validated questionnaire and the objective clinical test of the mixing ability of two chewing gums. Our data on influence of the number and the type of FTU on masticatory performance will be valuable when plan-ning prosthodontic therapy.


中文翻译：

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不同牙齿咬合情况老年人咀嚼能力的主客观评价

目的：令人满意的咀嚼功能是改善老年人口腔健康相关生活质量的重要指标，无论是有牙还是人造牙。本研究的目的是检查具有不同修复牙齿重建和咬合的老年人的咀嚼性能，以及比较咀嚼性能的主观和客观评估。材料和方法：这项研究包括 100 名 65 岁及以上的参与者。咀嚼功能问卷 (CFQ) 的答案在李克特量表 0-4（0 = 没有困难；4 = 最大困难）被用作主观咀嚼评估的指标。基于 Z 分数值，双色口香糖测试被用作咀嚼功能（混合能力）的客观评估。使用功能性牙齿单位 (FTU) 评估牙齿咬合情况。结果：使用 CFQ 和临床混合能力测试获得的结果相互一致 (r = 0.742)。天然牙尤其是后牙数量减少，咀嚼能力进行性下降，咀嚼困难增加。与 FTU 由天然牙齿或固定局部义齿组成的参与者相比，FTU 较少或 FTU 是可摘义齿的一部分的参与者咀嚼功能下降更大。结论：本研究表明，使用经过验证的问卷对老年人的主观咀嚼能力评估与两种口香糖混合能力的客观临床测试之间存在很强的正相关性。