Swallowing threshold parameters of subjects with shortened dental arches.

Objectives: To quantify swallowing threshold parameters of subjects with a moderate shortened dental arch dentition (SDA: missing molar teeth, but premolar teeth in occluding position and uninterrupted anterior regions) compared to subjects with a complete dental arch dentition (CDA).

Methods: Fourteen females with SDA (3-4 occlusal premolar units) and 14 females with CDA were instructed to chew silicone test 'food' (cubic particles with a total volume of 3 cm(3)). They spit it out the moment they felt the urge to swallow and the pulverized particles were collected.

Comparing masticatory performance and mixing ability.

Masticatory performance has often been measured by determining an individual's capacity to comminute a test food. Another method to determine masticatory performance, which is now widely used, evaluates the ability to mix and knead a food bolus. Two-coloured chewing gum and paraffin wax have been used as test foods for the quantification of the mixing ability.