Oral Functions - Feeding Sequence

Question 1

what are the feeding sequence components?

Answer 1

1. ingestion
2. stage 1 transport
3. mechanical processing
4. stage 2 transport

Question 2

what is meant by ingestion in relation to the feeding sequence?

Answer 2

• movement of food from the external environment into the mouth
• accomplished by biting and/or using tools
• lips provide anterior oral seal

Question 3

what do the facial muscles contribute to the feeding sequence? what specific muscles do this?

Answer 3

help to control food bolus and prevent spillage

• orbicularis or is
• buccinator

Question 4

what is involved in stage 1 transport of the feeding cycle?

Answer 4

moving material from the front of the mouth to the level of the posterior teeth

• food is gathered on tongue tip
• tongue retracts, pulling the material to the posterior teeth known as the pull back process

Question 5

what is stage 1 transport in the feeding cycle associated with?

Answer 5

retraction of the hyoid bone and narrowing of the oropharynx

Question 6

what occurs during mechanical processing of the feeding cycle?

Answer 6

• some solid foods must be broken down and mixed with saliva before being swallowed
• moist solid foods (e.g fruit) have to have fluid removed before being swallowed
• foods chewed by premolar and molar teeth
• some soft foods are squashed by tongue against hard palate

Question 7

what groups of muscles are involved in food processing?

Answer 7

• mandibular muscles
• supra-hyoid muscles
• tongue muscles
• lips and cheeks

Question 8

what is the function of the tongue during chewing?

Answer 8

• the tongue controls the bolus
• moves the bolus from side to side
• gathers food and rotates to reposition the bolus on the occlusal table
• keeps the bolus on the chewing surfaces

Question 9

what is the ‘squeeze-back’ mechanism?

Answer 9

• the forward movement on the tongue creates a contact between the tongue and the hard palate
• the contact zone moves progressively backwards, squeezing the processed food through the fauces

Question 10

what differs upon ingestion of solid foods vs liquids?

Answer 10

• liquids are swallowed from the mouth (oral seal)

- solids are swallowed from the oropharynx (no oral seal)

Question 11

what are the chewing cycle phases?

Answer 11

1. opening phase (jaw depressor muscles are active)
2. closing phase (jaw elevator muscles are active)
3. occlusal phase (mandible is stationary/teeth joined)

Question 12

how can the chewing cycle vary?

Answer 12

• brittle food = narrow chewing cycle

- tough food = wider chewing cycle

Question 13

a patient presents to your surgery and complains that their dentures are “flat”… why might this have occurred?

Answer 13

• occlusal surfaces are evenly worn

- suggestive of vertical mandibular movements

Question 14

is it always necessary to replace missing teeth? when might you choose not to?

Answer 14

• it is NOT always necessary

- if the patients has enough teeth to qualify for the SDA (shortened dental arch)

Question 15

what qualifies are shortened dental arch?

Answer 15

20 teeth

Question 16

when might the shortened dental arch concept be put into place?

Answer 16

• SDA provides sufficient occlusal stability
• SDA provides satisfactory comfort and appearance
• if molar absence gives rise to problems

Question 17

how can bite forces be increased in complete denture wearers?

Answer 17

by supporting dentures on implants which gives an increased resistance to load

Question 18

what is a Cantilever Bridge? when would this be used?

Answer 18

a pontic connected to a retainer at one end only

• used to replace single teeth
• not used if occlusal forces on pontic are heavy