Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in denture wearers with substance abuse in Mangalore taluk population

Abstract

Progressive loss of tooth caused by old age or certain systemic conditions, lead to oral handicap that often require a prosthetic appliance for restoring function and aesthetics. While these prostheses require good hygiene maintenance, lack of oral health awareness, compromised dexterity and presence of substance abuse could make the dentures harbingers of certain oral mucosal conditions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of oral mucosal lesions among dental prosthetic wearers and its association with habits of substance abuse. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted?on 1312 subjects aged 18 years and above using?a house-to-house approach to collect information regarding their prosthetic status, duration of prosthesis, usage of tobacco and oral mucosal condition. Results: The results showed a strong co-relation between substance abuse and denture wear with ulcers and denture stomatitis showing the highest prevalence rate amongst the study population. Leukoplakia and Oral Submucosal Fibrosis was seen mostly in non-denture wearers. Summary and Conclusions: According to the results, Denture wearers had a higher tendency of having oral mucosal lesions, most commonly being Ulcers and Denture stomatitis (3.2%). With the exception of leukoplakia that occurred mostly in the non denture wearers. Substsance abuse had a direct co-relation to oral mucosal lesions. Occurrence of ulcers and denture stomatitis followed by candidiasis in smoked tobacco users, while in smokeless tobacco users ulcerative lesions and denture stomatitis followed by Acute Necrotising Denture Stomatitis were most commonly noted. Clinical significance: It is essential to carry out periodic examination of the oral mucosa in denture wearers to establish a preventive protocol to eradicate the pathology caused by the use of dentures and the harmful effects of substance abuse. Key Words: Denture wear, Oral habits, Oral health, Oral mucosal lesions, Substance abuse