Mandibular movements and swallowing threshold in older adults with obesity using removable prostheses

Objective

In adults, obesity has been associated with reduced chewing ability. However, evidence for the association of obesity with chewing movements in partially edentate older adults is scarce. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of obesity on the mandibular movements and swallowing thresholds of obese older adults using removable prostheses.

Design

Thirty-eight partially edentulous older adults were assigned to obese (n = 18, 71.11 ± 5.18 years) and control (n = 20, 70.00 ± 5.36 years) groups. All participants received new prostheses. Six months later, their mandibular range of motion, jaw movements during chewing, and swallowing thresholds were assessed using jaw-tracking methods. The data were compared using the independent t test (α = 5 %).

Results

Relative to controls, older adults with obesity had lesser vertical apertures (34.65 mm ± 2.26), and masticatory cycle times (600.53 ms ± 68.05), and longer mandibular closing times (242.15 ms ± 40.05; all p < 0.05). Additionally, the obese group exhibited larger median particle sizes (4.89 ± 0.70) and fewer chewing cycles before swallowing (20.44 ± 4.51; both p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Older adults with obesity wearers of removable dentures had reduced jaw range of motion and mandibular movements during chewing, and impaired masticatory function related to swallowing threshold relative to controls. These findings may contribute to the understanding of the complex relationship between obesity and masticatory function.