Prevalence of Oral Mucosal Lesions in a Group of Iranian Dependent Elderly Complete Denture Wearers

Abstract

Oral mucosal lesions are frequently observed in institutionalized elderly patients more than other age groups. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of epulis fissuratum and denture stomatitis and their associated causes in dependent elderly complete denture wearers. This study was conducted in dependent elderly complete denture's wearers living in four randomly selected nursing homes located in Tehran. Associated factors such as gender, age, use of medication, site of nursing home, denture quality and denture-wearing habit were studied. Overall, 674 patients were examined; 201 had complete denture. The prevalence of denture stomatitis was 36%. There was significant relationship among the prevalence of denture stomatitis with gender and denture wearing period (p < 0.05). The prevalence of epulis fissuratum was 16.4%. There was significant relationship among the prevalence of epulis fissuratum with gender, denture quality and denture wearing habit (p < 0.05). In this particular dependent age group, the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions is high and the mentioned associated factors should be noticed. Dependent elderly complete denture wearers need more support and motivation for reducing the prevalence of these particular denture-associated oral mucosal lesions.