A large number of enrolled subjects were classified as Eichner A1 (n=653) without missing teeth and with occlusal contacts in all posterior areas. In this group, 54.1% of subjects had no periodontal pockets (CPI = 0-2)
Teeth with periodontal pockets (CPI 3) represented 30% of the Eichner A1 group while this proportion increased to 70% in Eichner B3 group (occlusal contacts in one posterior area)
In Eichner groups A1 and B3, patients with moderate and severe periodontitis (CPI = 3-4) showed reduced masticatory performance in comparison with those without periodontitis (CPI= 0-2). No significant differences were highlighted in other Eichner A and B groups
e proportion of subjects wearing dentures increased from Eichner A2 group (8.3%) to Eichner B4 group (93.4%) and associated with a significant decrease of occlusal support
Masticatory performance of denture wearers from Eichner B2 and B3 groups decreased respectively in subjects with moderate periodontitis (B2) and in subjects with moderate and severe periodontitis (B3) in comparison with those without
periodontitis.
When only non-denture wearers were considered, no significant differences in masticatory performance was observed in Eichner A2 to B3 groups according to periodontal status.