Is there a relationship between dental occlusion and masticatory function?

Objectives: Because it is often assumed that occlusion influences masticatory function, the relationships between masticatory performance and six established occlusal characteristics commonly used to determine the quality of orthodontic treatment. Methods: The sample included 30 young Class I adults (15 males and 15 females) between 22 and 35 years of age. Each subject chewed seven portions of Cuttersil®, a condensation silicone impression material, with each portion containing two quarter-tablets (1.43 grams). The Rosin-Rammler equation was fitted to each cumulative weight distribution of the chewed particles to estimate median particle size (MPS) and the broadness of the particle distribution (BPD). The occlusal characteristics were measured twice and averaged; they included alignment (AL), marginal ridges (MR), buccolingual inclinations (BLI), posterior overjet (POJ), occlusal contacts (OC), and interproximal contacts (IPC), as defined by the American Board of Orthodontics Objective Grading System. Results: There were no significant sex differences in masticatory performance or the occlusal characteristics. Descriptive statistics were as follows: MPS (1.86±1.05), BPD (2.80±1.42), AL (2.02±1.51), MR (4.12±1.1.69), BLI (2.02±1.51), POJ (9.37±5.05), OC (11.17±8.71), and IPC (0.48±1.19). MPS was correlated with BPD (r=0.58;p<.001). The occlusal characteristics were relatively independent of each other; only the relationship between OC and POJ being significant (r=.50;p=.005). There were no associations between the two measures of masticatory performance and six occlusal characteristics. Conclusion: Masticatory function is not related to six commonly used occlusal measures of treatment outcome.