ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate masticatory performance in cases where one molar was missing. METHODS: Participants were 156 adults with one molar missing from their natural teeth, who were divided into group A (without prosthetic treatment) and group B (with prosthetic treatment). The non-missing side was designated as A1 or B1, and the missing side was designated as A2 or B2. The amount of glucose eluted (AG) when the participants chewed a gummy jelly was measured and used as a parameter for masticatory performance. AG was compared between the non-missing side (A1, B1) and missing side (A2, B2), and between the first molar missing group and second molar missing group. RESULTS: AG was significantly greater on the dentate side (P < 0.001) and was significantly less in the A2 group when the first molar was missing (P = 0.002). The rate of decrease of AG was 11.1%, 14.3%, and 8.4% in groups A+B, A, and B, respectively. CONCLUSION: Masticatory performance appears to decrease even with only one missing molar. Although improvement is achieved by prosthetic treatment, performance remains inferior to that on the dentate side.
