Application of a low-adhesive color-developing chewing gum system to patients with osseointegrated implant-supported prostheses.

Few methods have been described that can quantitatively evaluate masticatory function. This study investigated the usefulness of a low-adhesive color-developing chewing gum system for the evaluation of patients with implant-supported prostheses. Fifteen dentate subjects and 22 patients with dental implants participated in this study. The color developed in the gum after chewing reflects masticatory function and is evaluated quantitatively with a color-analyzing system. The results indicate that this system can be used to evaluate occlusal function, and they confirm the importance of stable prostheses for higher masticatory function.