The evaluation of masticatory function with low adhesive colour-developing chewing gum.

Many objective methods have been described to evaluate masticatory function. Recently, a new chewing gum system has been reported that utilizes a phloxine-sodium bicarbonate reaction and measures a chromatic coordinate as a functional indicator. A low-adhesive colour-developing chewing gum has been developed by selecting an appropriate gum base. This study examined the applicability of the system and reproducibility of results in subjects with different dental states. Tests were performed on 15 natural dentate subjects and 15 complete denture wearers after determination of germane test conditions through a pilot study. The colour was measured by a*, one of the coordinates in the L*a*b* colour system. All subjects could perform the test. The coefficient of variation ranged from 1.87% to 7.90%, averaging 5.15% in the natural dentate subjects and from 1.5% to 17.9%, averaging 9.75% in the complete denture wearers. The 95% confidence interval of a* was 28.76 +/- 1.76 in the natural dentate subjects and 10.05 +/- 2.58 in the complete denture wearers. The results indicated that this material can be useful for both complete denture wearers and subjects with a natural dentition with adequate reproducibility.