Background: People confronted with oral cancer run a high risk of deteriorated masticatory performance. Reduced masticatory function may affect quality of life and food choice. An altered food choice may result in lower intakes for key nutrients and weight loss.
Methods: Dental state, bite force, and masticatory performance were determined in a group of 45 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and/or floor of mouth. Measurements were performed before surgery and at various moments after surgery and/or radiotherapy.
Results: Surgical intervention had a large negative impact on oral function. Radiotherapy further worsened oral function. Also, the recovery of oral function 1 year after surgery was less prominent for the surgery-radiotherapy group than for the surgery group.
Conclusion: Objective determination of oral function 1 year after surgery showed that patients treated for malignancies in the tongue and/or floor of mouth had significantly deteriorated masticatory performance, bite force, and dental state.
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