Masticatory efficiency in Class I individuals orthodontically treated and untreated

We evaluated and compared if the degree of masticatory efficiency, in individuals with permanent teeth and dental Class I orthodontically treated and untreated, is influenced by orthodontic treatment.

Method: 60 students of MIMD ISCSEM, with complete permanent dentition, no complaints in the stomatognathic system and dental Class I, composed of 30 orthodontically treated individuals and 30 non-orthodontically treated individuals. The masticatory efficiency was tested using the Optosil Test and the DGM calculation of the fragmented food particles.

Result: The average value of DGM was 5,456.97 µm in the orthodontically treated group and 5,302.83 µm in the non-orthodontically treated group (p= 0,227, t-Student’s test). Regarding gender distribution, average values of DGM were 5,219.46 µm for males and 5,486.86 µm for females (p=0,038, t-Student’s test). 

Conclusion: No statistically significant differences were found on the degree of masticatory efficiency, between individuals with permanent teeth and dental Class I orthodontically treated and those non-orthodontically treated. The males showed higher masticatory efficiency than the females.