The Influence of The Recovery of Masticatory Function on QOL in Elderly Edentulous Patients

本研究旨在探讨老年无牙颌患者咀嚼功能恢复对生活质量的影响。本研究共进行了四个项目的评估，并得到以下结果：1.计算了63例65岁以上无牙颌患者的平均最大咬合力和平均冲量。男性（31例患者）的平均最大咬合力为19.3 kgf，女性（32例患者）为17.7 kgf。平均冲动男性为3.9 kgf/s，女性为3.7 kgf/s。在建立了一份关于义齿投诉和不适症状、原因以及社会因素的调查表后，对81例无牙颌患者进行了调查。对所得结果进行因子分析，将患者对义齿的抱怨分为4个因子。此外，还完成了一份由4个项目和27个问题组成的问卷.评价咀嚼功能恢复对老年无牙颌患者生活质量的影响。咀嚼功能评价采用咀嚼功能测试和咬紧力测试。进行5次测量。随着咀嚼功能的改善，患者的生活质量也随之提高。提示咀嚼功能改善的长期保持可提高患者的活动和心理方面的生活质量.探讨老年无牙颌患者咬牙时咬合力的大小和作用方向对咀嚼功能恢复和生活质量的影响。虽然新义齿的安装改善了咀嚼功能和生活质量，增加了咬合力，但使用旧义齿时和完成新义齿调整后咬合力的作用方向没有差异。

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the recovery of masticatory function on QOL in elderly edentulous patients. Four items were evaluated, and the following results were obtained :1. The mean maximum biting force and mean impulse in 63 edentulous patients aged over 65 years was calculated. The mean maximum biting force was 19.3 kgf in males (31 patients), and 17.7 kgf in females (32 patients). The mean impulse was 3.9 kgf/s in males, and 3.7 kgf/s in females.2. After establishing a questionnaire regarding complaints and uncomfortable symptoms of dentures, their causes, and social factors, which were considered related to the improvement in QOL, investigation using the questionnaire was performed in 81 edentulous patients. Factor analysis of the results obtained was performed, in which patients' complaints of denture were classified into 4 factors. Furthermore, a questionnaire consisting of 4 items and 27 questions was completed.3. The influence of recovery of masticatory function on QOL in elderly edentulous patients was evaluated. Masticatory function was evaluated by masticatory test and biting force during clenching. Measurment was perfomed 5 times. QOL improved with the improvement in masticatory function. Furthermore, it was suggested that QOL of patients' activity and psychological aspects improved by the long-term retention of the improvement in masticatory function.4. Influence of the strength and acting direction of biting force occurring during clenching in elderly edentulous patients on the recovery of masticatory function and QOL was evaluated. Although masticatory function and QOL improved and biting force increased by the insertion of new dentures, no difference were noted in the acting direction of biting force between when old dentures were being used and after completing adjustment of new dentures.