Background

This study aimed to determine the correlation between occlusal contact area and masticatory performance using BiteEye®, 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 μm. Masticatory performance was measured by obtaining the median particle size (X50) 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 X50 in the 0–149 μm range. Stronger correlations between the occlusal contact area and X50 were observed in cases of 20 strokes of mastication (r=-0.451) than in cases of 10 strokes (r=-0.383), in the posterior occlusal contact area (r=-0.456) than in the full arch occlusal contact area (r=-0.451), and the molar area (r=-0.478) than in the premolar area (r=-0.296).

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 μm range.