Masticatory performance with one missing molar.

This study aimed to evaluate masticatory performance in cases where one molar was missing. Participants were 156 adults with one molar missing from their natural teeth, who were divided into group A (without prosthetic treatment) and group B (with prosthetic treatment). The non-missing side was designated as A1 or B1, and the missing side was designated as A2 or B2. The amount of glucose eluted (AG) when the participants chewed a gummy jelly was measured and used as a parameter for masticatory performance. AG was compared between the non-missing side (A1, B1) and missing side (A2, B2), and between the first molar missing group and second molar missing group. AG was significantly greater on the dentate side (P < 0.001) and was significantly less in the A2 group when the first molar was missing (P = 0.002). The rate of decrease of AG was 11.1%, 14.3%, and 8.4% in groups A+B, A, and B, respectively. Masticatory performance appears to decrease even with only one missing molar. Although improvement is achieved by prosthetic treatment, performance remains inferior to that on the dentate side.