title: Changes in masticatory performance and quality of life in individuals with chronic periodontitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluates the effect of periodontitis on masticatory performance and quality of life index.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n = 24; 23 to 76 years of age) with periodontal conditions ranging from healthy to generalized disease categorized by the alveolar bone height-to-tooth length (AB/T) ratio were separated into the following two groups: control (AB/T >50%) and test (AB/T <50%). The masticatory performance was evaluated through continuous mastication of a special device called a biocapsule. The Brazilian Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14Br) questionnaire was used to assess the oral health-related quality of life. The Student t test was applied for independent samples (P <0.05) to evaluate the masticatory performance, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine quality of life (P <0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant difference in masticatory efficiency between groups (P = 0.006). Statistically significant differences were also observed in the following parameters: 1) physical pain (P = 0.003); 2) psychologic discomfort (P = 0.008); 3) physical disability (P = 0.033); and 4) OHIP-14Br total score (P = 0.001). The control group achieved the best indicators. Both the masticatory performance and quality of life indicators showed significant correlation with the alveolar bone height.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The loss of periodontal supporting structures has negative effects on the masticatory performance and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Stomatology, and Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Dental School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tânia de Freitas
authors.initials: Tde F
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Simone C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Regalo
authors.forename: Mário
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taba
authors.forename: Selma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siéssere
authors.forename: Wilson
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mestriner
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Semprini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000503:physiopathology; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014086:Tooth Mobility / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult