A large number of methodological procedures and experimental conditions are reported to describe the masticatory process. However, similar terms are sometimes employed to describe different methodologies. Standardisation of terms is essential to allow comparisons among different studies. This article was aimed to provide a consensus concerning the terms, definitions and technical methods generally reported when evaluating masticatory function objectively and subjectively. The consensus is based on the results from discussions and consultations among world‐leading researchers in the related research areas. Advantages, limitations and relevance of each method are also discussed. The present consensus provides a revised framework of standardised terms to improve the consistent use of masticatory terminology and facilitate further investigations on masticatory function analysis. In addition, this article also outlines various methods used to evaluate the masticatory process and their advantages and disadvantages in order to help researchers to design their experiments.

Partially edentulous patients may be rehabilitated by the placement of removable dental prostheses, implant-supported removable dental prostheses, or partial implant fixed dental prostheses. However, it is unclear the impact of each prosthesis type over the masticatory aspects, which represents the objective of this paired clinical trial. Twelve patients sequentially received and used each of these 3 prosthesis types for 2 months, after which maximum bite force was assessed by a strain sensor and food comminution index was determined with the sieving method. Masseter and temporal muscle thicknesses during rest and maximal clenching were also evaluated by ultrasonography. Each maxillary arch received a new complete denture that was used throughout the study. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance for repeated measures, followed by the Tukey test ( p < .05). Maximum bite force and food comminution index increased ( p < .0001) after implant-supported dental prosthesis and implant fixed dental prosthesis use, with the higher improvement found after the latter’s use. Regardless of implant-retained prosthesis type, masseter muscle thickness during maximal clenching also increased ( p < .05) after implant insertion. Partial implant-supported prostheses significantly improved masseter muscle thickness and mastication, and the magnitude of this effect was related to prosthesis type (International Clinical Trial Registration RBR-9J26XD).

The aim of this study was to present all the relevant studies that have evaluated, with valid scientific methodology, the possible physical and nutrient intake improvement of edentulous subjects rehabilitated with removable and supported or retained implant denture, without restriction of suprastructure modalities, compared with those wearing conventional removable dentures. Several electronic databases (Pubmed, Medline—Medline In-Process, Cochrane Library Database, Embase, and Lilacs) were searched, without language limitation. References from the selected articles were also hand searched. Abstracts which appeared to fulfill the initial selection criteria (comparison of nutritional state between conventional removable and supported or retained implant denture wearers) were selected by consensus and their original articles were then retrieved. Clinical trials that included anthropometric measurements or nutrient intake in removable and supported or retained implant denture wearers without syndrome and systemic influences, nor presenting surgical or other simultaneous treatment, which could affect the integrity during the evaluation period were finally selected. Only 5 articles met the selection criteria. Two studies (randomized clinical trials and prospective) found inadequate nutrient intake after treatment. One randomized clinical trial presented an improvement in nutritional state after treatment. One cross-sectional study showed an adequate nutritional state before and after treatment. These 4 studies found no significant difference between implant and conventional treatments. Finally, 1 cross-sectional study presented a difference between treatments, showing that the risk of malnutrition was higher for removable complete denture wearers. Considering the available evidence, the effect on the nutritional state in edentulous subjects treated with implant therapy is similar to the 1 obtained with conventional removable dentures. This effect does not necessarily mean an optimum nutritional state, which also depends on other factors not related to prosthodontic treatment.