Correlation between occlusal contact area at various levels of interocclusal thicknesses and masticatory performance

Background This study aimed to determine the correlation between occlusal contact area and masticatory performance using BiteEye(R), a photo occlusal analysis device and the multiple sieve method. Objectives To calculate the occlusal contact area at various levels of interocclusal thicknesses and to measure masticatory performance with peanuts as the test material. Methods Fifty-two adults (30 men and 22 women) were enrolled according to specific exclusion/inclusion criteria. The occlusal contact area was measured by obtaining the interocclusal record of the maximum intercuspal position (MIP) using silicone impression material. Occlusal contact area measurements were performed in the ranges of 0-149, 0-89, 0-59, 0-29 and 0-9 mu m. Masticatory performance was measured by obtaining the median particle size (X (50)) after converting the weight of comminuted peanuts into size using the multiple sieve method. Statistical analysis was performed at 95% significance level. Results Interocclusal thickness comparison revealed the highest correlation with X (50) in the 0-149 mu m range. Stronger correlations between the occlusal contact area and X (50) were observed in cases of 20 strokes of mastication (r = -.451) than in cases of 10 strokes (r = -.383), in the posterior occlusal contact area (r = -.456) than in the full arch occlusal contact area (r = -.451) and the molar area (r = -.478) than in the premolar area (r = -.296). Conclusions The larger the occlusal contact area, the higher the masticatory performance; this correlation was statistically significant. Regarding interocclusal thickness, the highest correlation between the occlusal contact area and masticatory performance was observed in the 0-149 mu m range.

Automated summary

The study found a positive correlation between occlusal contact area and masticatory performance, with the highest correlation observed in the 0-149 micrometer range of interocclusal thickness. Increasing occlusal contact area led to improved masticatory performance, indicating a statistically significant relationship between the two variables.