title: Assessment of masticatory performance by means of a color-changeable chewing gum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous research determined the relevance of masticatory performance with regard to nutritional status, cognitive functions, or stress management. In addition, the measurement of masticatory efficiency contributes to the evaluation of therapeutic successes within the stomatognathic system. However, the question remains unanswered as to what extent modern techniques are able to reproduce the subtle differences in masticatory efficiency within various patient groups. The purpose of this review is to provide an extensive summary of the evaluation of masticatory performance by means of a color-changeable chewing gum with regard to its clinical relevance and applicability.
  
  
  METHODS
  A general overview describing the various methods available for this task has already been published. This review focuses in depth on the research findings available on the technique of measuring masticatory performance by means of color-changeable chewing gum. Described are the mechanism and the differentiability of the color change and methods to evaluate the color changes. Subsequently, research on masticatory performance is conducted with regard to patient age groups, the impact of general diseases and the effect of prosthetic and surgical treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The studies indicate that color-changeable chewing gum is a valid and reliable method for the evaluation of masticatory function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Apart from other methods, in clinical practice this technique can enhance dental diagnostics as well as the assessment of therapy outcomes.
authors.affiliation: CMD-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address: Agnieszka.Tarkowska@cmd-centrum.de.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarkowska
authors.affiliation: CMD-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Katzer
authors.affiliation: CMD-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Center for Dental and Oral Medicine, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Marcus Oliver
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Ahlers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003116:Color; D003945:Diagnosis, Oral / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D013284:Stomatognathic System / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002638:Chewing Gum
keywords: Color changeable chewing gum; Gerodontology; Masticatory efficiency; Masticatory performance; Occlusal function; Postoperative monitoring