Assessment of Masticatory Performance in Various Stages of Periodontitis

Periodontal disease manifestations include gingival bleeding, halitosis, tooth mobility and loss of teeth in advanced cases. The loss of periodontal attachment contributes to reduced masticatory performance and has a negative impact on general health. Loss of periodontium leads to reduced ability of tooth to withstand masticatory loads. Thus, biting abilities of subjects with healthy periodontium are significantly greater than those of chronic periodontitis patients. Even though the new periodontitis classification includes masticatory dysfunction in stage 4, but clinical periodontal parameters do start influencing objective masticatory efficiency in early stages. Since the masticatory function is an important point for the classification of periodontitis, standardized procedures with corresponding reference values are needed to consider these parameters in the assessment of periodontitis and to be able to make specific therapy recommendations.

This clinical trial aims to assess the changes in masticatory performance among periodontitis patients of all stages and healthy individuals using test methods easily applicable in daily practice.