Comparison of Masticatory Performance and Efficiency Between Bilateral and Unilateral Chewing in Adults

mi youn, Yun (윤미연); Chun GaeSig (천재식); Jong-Hwa Jang (장종화)

doi:10.22685/jts.2025.9.2.97

Comparison of Masticatory Performance and Efficiency Between Bilateral and Unilateral Chewing in Adults

The Journal of Transdisciplinary Studies
Abbr : JTS
2025, 9(2), pp.97~103
DOI : 10.22685/jts.2025.9.2.97
Publisher : The Society for Transdisciplinary Studies
Research Area : Interdisciplinary Studies > Interdisciplinary Research
Received : August 12, 2025
Accepted : August 29, 2025
Published : August 31, 2025

mi youn, Yun ¹, Chun GaeSig ¹, Jong-Hwa Jang ¹

¹단국대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This study compared masticatory performance (MP) and masticatory efficiency (ME) between bilateral and habitual unilateral chewers and evaluated changes following bilateral chewing guidance. Methods: Fifty participants (25 bilateral, 25 unilateral chewers) chewed peanut samples before and after bilateral chewing training. MP and ME were assessed and analyzed using independent and paired t-tests. Results: Bilateral chewers showed significantly higher MP (86.80 vs. 80.32, p = 0.011) and ME (187.84 vs. 131.44, p = 0.019) than unilateral chewers. In unilateral chewers, the dominant side improved in MP (80.32 ￫ 85.32, p = 0.008) and ME (131.44 ￫ 163.76, p = 0.034) post-training; the non-dominant side also improved but remained lower than the dominant side. Conclusions: Bilateral chewing is more effective than unilateral chewing in masticatory function. Short-term bilateral chewing training enhances MP and ME, particularly in habitual unilat eral chewers.

KEYWORDS

Bilateral chewing, Habitual unilateral chewing, Masticatory efficiency, Masticatory performance

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