Association of occlusion with eating efficiency in children with cerebral palsy and moderate eating impairment.
OBJECTIVE
This study focused on the contribution ofthe dental occlusion to chewing efficiency in a group of children with cerebral palsy (CP).


METHODS
Twenty children aged 8.3 +/- 0.9 years participated in this study. Chewing efficiency was measured and biting and drinking skills were noted. Occlusion was determined from extra- and intra-oral photographs and from orthodontic plaster models.


RESULTS
Significant correlatons were found between chewing efficiency and age (r:0.6, P=.006) and the total number of posterior teeth (r:0.7, P<.001). A marginally significant negative correlation was found between the total number of teeth and chewing time for the viscous texture (r:-0.4, P=.06).


CONCLUSIONS
A possible association between chewing efficiency and occlusal wear may exist, but will need further examination. There was also a higher frequency of drooling (23%) in children who had an open bite compared to those with a normal bite. These results suggested that occlusal problems affected the efficiency of ingestion in children with CP.
Schwartz
Stephane
S
Dental Department, Montreal Childrens Hospital, Quebec, Canada.
Gisel
Erika G
EG
Clarke
Dianna
D
Haberfellner
Hubert
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D003817:Dentition; D004326:Drinking / Q000502:physiology; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D024343:Open Bite / Q000150:complications; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014072:Tooth Abrasion / Q000150:complications; D019217:Tooth Attrition / Q000150:complications