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Validation of a purpose‐built chewing gum and smartphone application to evaluate chewing efficiency
Author(s) -
Buser Ramona,
Ziltener Valerie,
Samietz Stefanie,
Fontolliet Marta,
Nef Tobias,
Schimmel Martin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of oral rehabilitation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.991
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2842
pISSN - 0305-182X
DOI - 10.1111/joor.12696
Subject(s) - chewing gum , dentistry , hue , computer science , medicine , chemistry , food science , artificial intelligence
Summary Objectives To validate a purpose‐built two‐coloured chewing gum (Hue‐Check Gum ® ), and to test the accuracy of a custom‐built smartphone application for a colour‐mixing ability test to assess chewing function. Methods Fully dentate participants (28D‐group) and edentulous participants with implant overdentures ( IOD ‐group) were recruited. They chewed a Hue‐Check Gum ® for 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50 chewing cycles, respectively. Maximum voluntary bite force ( MBF ) was assessed with a digital gauge. The specimens were analysed according to their colour mixture (variance of hue, VOH ) with a validated software ( VOH _scan) and a newly developed smartphone application ( VOH _app). Results Participants segregated by dental state were significantly different regarding the number of occluding pairs of teeth, age and MBF . VOH _scan showed a negative logarithmic association with the number of chewing cycles, and VOH could be predicted from chewing cycles, MBF and gender. The clearest discrimination between the IOD and the 28D groups was observed for n = 20 chewing cycles; at this point, VOH was distinguishably different with a P ‐value < 0.0001. The VOH _app was a very good predictor for VOH _scan with 0.80 < pseudo‐ R 2 < 0.83, depending on light exposure and measuring distance. There was, however, a systematic error in the accuracy of the app for inadequately chewed specimens. Conclusions The use of the two‐coloured chewing gum would provide a fast, simple and inexpensive method for the assessment of masticatory performance, which could be used in geriatric wards or in private practices without the requirement of specialised equipment or trained staff.