The influence of dental status on masticatory muscle activity in elderly patients.

Abstract

Muscle activity during 5 minutes of mastication depended greatly on the presence of the prosthetic appliance, since edentulous subjects had to use higher potentials of muscle activity (%MVC or %Omax) than age-matched dentate subjects, and were unable to increase activity at the end of mastication. The difference in chewing patterns and activity between complete denture wearers and dentate subjects should be explained to patients prior to prosthetic treatment to help them adjust their expectations.