Relation between Chewing Gum Containing Wax Particles and Occlusal Force

Objective: The purpose of this study was to reveal the relationship between chewing gum containing wax particles and occlusal force which had deep connection to masticatory ability.

Method: 17 dentate subjects(14 males and 3 females,23±3.0y old) volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were instructed to chew the chewing gum containing wax particles 25 times for each side. After expectoration, the gum was softened in hot water and pressed between original plastic plates to 300μm. 8 photographs(2.56mm×2.56mm) were taken by special camera and the number of original particles( neither crushed nor grinded) wax particles in the photograph were counted. Crushing rate for 1 time mastication was calculated. This value was defined as “gum value”. The maximum bite force was measured with pressure-sensitive sheets (Dental Prescale, Fuji Film Co., Tokyo, Japan). Subjects were instructed to bite the sheets by maximum force for 3 times and the maximum results were considered as the maximum force for each subject. The correlation between maximum force and gum value in major masticatory side was analyzed.

Result: Maximum force and gum value in major masticatory side had the positive correlation(r=.506, p<.05)

Conclusion: From this experiment, maximum bite force and gum value in major masticatory side had the positive correlation, because to comminute wax particles inside gum, occlusalforce above a certain level were need.