Evaluation of occlusal force and masticatory performance in elderly adults with natural dentition unaffected by occlusal support.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to clarify whether occlusal force and masticatory performance reduced in elderly adults and whether these parameters were affected by age. METHODS: Seventy-eight elderly adults (elderly group) and 76 young adults (control group) with natural dentition were asked to maximally clench for 3 s, and occlusal force was calculated. The amount of glucose extraction after chewing a gummy jelly was measured as the parameter for masticatory performance. Occlusal force and masticatory performance were compared between the elderly and control groups. The correlation between age and occlusal force and between age and masticatory performance was also investigated. RESULTS: Occlusal force was significantly smaller in the elderly group (P < 0.05). Masticatory performance was lower in the elderly group, but this difference was not statistically significant. No significant correlation was observed between age and occlusal force in the control group, but a negative correlation was found in the elderly group (P < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between age and masticatory performance in either group. CONCLUSION: Occlusal force was affected by age and reduced significantly, whereas masticatory performance was not affected by age and was maintained in elderly adults.