Factors Influencing Human Masticatory Performance
Abstract
Mastication is a highly complex and integrative chewing
process that is performed by humans and other mammals at a
consistent and involuntary rate. Proper mastication is critical
for swallowing, ease of digestion, and overall quality of life;
therefore, it is vital to understand how well an individual
masticates. Masticatory performance can be evaluated by
measuring the median particle size (MPS) and the broadness
of particle distribution. A combination of fixed factors such as
occlusal area and cephalometric measurements and adaptive
factors like bite force, muscle activity, and chewing rate have
the potential to objectively determine how well one masticates.
This explorative study aims to discover how multiple factors
interact and attempts to prioritize the influence of each factor
on masticatory performance.