Zahreni Hamzah  

Departemen Ilmu Biomedik, Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi, Universitas Jember, Indonesia

Nur Mustafida 

Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi, Universitas Jember, Indonesia 

Dyah Indartin Setyowati

Departemen Ilmu Penyakit Mulut, Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi, Universitas Jember, Indonesia

Dewi Kristiana 

Departemen Prostodonsia, Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi, Universitas Jember, Indonesia 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19184/stoma.v23i1.60000

ABSTRACT 

Aging is a natural biological process that leads to a decline in various bodily functions, including the brain or central nervous system. In the elderly, the nervous system undergoes anatomical changes and progressive atrophy, which may result in impaired cognitive function. Aging also causes changes in oral tissues that can lead to tooth loss. Posterior tooth loss occurs more frequently than anterior tooth loss in the elderly. Posterior tooth loss accompanied by a reduced number of functional tooth units may impair masticatory function. Impaired mastication can affect dietary patterns and nutritional intake, including nutrients essential for brain function, and may reduce stimulation of the hippocampus, which plays an important role in cognitive function. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the number of posterior functional tooth units and cognitive function in the elderly. This study was conducted in Jember Regency and involved 79 participants aged ≥ 60 years. The number of posterior functional tooth units was calculated based on posterior teeth with occlusal contact with their antagonists, while cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation test with a significance level of 0.05. The Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between the number of posterior functional tooth units and cognitive function (p = 0.029; r = 0.246). A higher number of posterior functional tooth units was associated with better cognitive function in the elderly. 

Keywords: Cognitive function, Elderly, Masticatory, Posterior functional tooth units.