Denture Stomatitis Clinical Presentation

  • Author: James J Sciubba, DMD, PhD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 17, 2012
 

History

Denture stomatitis usually occurs in a patient who wears a complete maxillary denture or a partial denture. The presence of deteriorating temporary soft denture lining material and an improperly matched cleanser (which generally is the case) is associated with an increased presence of candidal organisms within the biofilm.[19, 20]

In almost all patients, the duration of the lesion is usually unknown because of its asymptomatic nature.

On rare occasions, patients may complain of slight bleeding and swelling in the involved area, as well as a burning sensation, a xerostomialike quality, or cacogeusia.[21]

Next

Physical

Although symptoms are uncommon, the clinical presentation of erythema and edema in the part of the palatal mucosa covered by the denture base is a diagnostic finding. Intense erythema is the most common finding. Note the image below.

A variably intense erythema distributed over the pA variably intense erythema distributed over the part of the mucosa covered by the denture base is diagnostic of denture stomatitis.

At times, an obvious fungal infection in the form of white surface colonies or plaques may be observed on the mucosal surface. Variably intense erythema, which may also be associated with scattered petechiae, is distributed over the mucosa covered by the base of the denture but not beyond. Palpation of the involved mucosa reveals no tenderness or tissue friability. The severity of denture stomatitis can vary (see Staging).

Previous
Next

Causes

See Pathophysiology.

Previous
Proceed to Differential Diagnoses
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

James J Sciubba, DMD, PhD  Retired Professor and Director of Dental and Oral Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Milton J Dance Head and Neck Center; Private Practice, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral Medicine, Baltimore, MD

James J Sciubba, DMD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, American Dental Association, and International Academy of Oral Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Peter Fritsch, MD  Chair, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Innsbruck, Austria

Peter Fritsch, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Dermatological Association, International Society of Pediatric Dermatology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Drore Eisen, MD, DDS  Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Research Associates of Cincinnati

Drore Eisen, MD, DDS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Academy of Oral Medicine, and American Dental Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Reichart PA. Oral mucosal lesions in a representative cross-sectional study of aging Germans. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. Oct 2000;28(5):390-8. [Medline].

  2. Shulman JD, Beach MM, Rivera-Hidalgo F. The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in U.S. adults: data from the third national health and nutrition examination survey, 1988-1994. J Amer Dent Assoc. 2004;135:1279-1286. [Medline].

  3. MacEntee MI, Glick N, Stolar E. Age, gender, dentures and oral mucosal disorders. Oral Dis. Mar 1998;4(1):32-6. [Medline].

  4. Shulman JD, Rivera-Hidalgo F, Beach MM. Risk factors associated with denture stomatitis in the United States. J Oral Pathol Med. 2005;34:340-346. [Medline].

  5. Fenlon MR, Sherriff M, Walter JD. Factors associated with the presence of denture related stomatitis in complete denture wearers: a preliminary investigation. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent. Dec 1998;6(4):145-7. [Medline].

  6. Gendreau L, Loewy ZG. Epidemiology and etiology of denture stomatitis. J Prosthodont. Jun 2011;20(4):251-60. [Medline].

  7. Barbeau J, Seguin J, Goulet JP, et al. Reassessing the presence of Candida albicans in denture-related stomatitis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. Jan 2003;95(1):51-9. [Medline].

  8. Le Bars P, Piloquet P, Daniel A, Giumelli B. Immunohistochemical localization of type IV collagen and laminin (alpha1) in denture stomatitis. J Oral Pathol Med. Feb 2001;30(2):98-103. [Medline].

  9. Schou L, Wight C, Cumming C. Oral hygiene habits, denture plaque, presence of yeasts and stomatitis in institutionalised elderly in Lothian, Scotland. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. Apr 1987;15(2):85-9. [Medline].

  10. Budtz-Jorgensen E, Stenderup A, Grabowski M. An epidemiologic study of yeasts in elderly denture wearers. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. May 1975;3(3):115-9. [Medline].

  11. Cardash HS, Helft M, Shani A, Marshak B. Prevalence of Candida albicans in denture wearers in an Israeli geriatric hospital. Gerodontology. Winter 1989;8(4):101-7. [Medline].

  12. Marcos-Arias C, Vicente JL, Sahand IH, et al. Isolation of Candida dubliniensis in denture stomatitis. Arch Oral Biol. Feb 2009;54(2):127-31. [Medline].

  13. Ramage G, Tomsett K, Wickes BL, Lopez-Ribot JL, Redding SW. Denture stomatitis: a role for Candida biofilms. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. Jul 2004;98(1):53-9. [Medline].

  14. Campos MS, Marchini L, Bernardes LA, Paulino LC, Nobrega FG. Biofilm microbial communities of denture stomatitis. Oral Microbiol Immunol. Oct 2008;23(5):419-24. [Medline].

  15. Cumming CG, Wight C, Blackwell CL, Wray D. Denture stomatitis in the elderly. Oral Microbiol Immunol. Apr 1990;5(2):82-5. [Medline].

  16. Frenkel H, Harvey I, Newcombe RG. Oral health care among nursing home residents in Avon. Gerodontology. Jul 2000;17(1):33-8. [Medline].

  17. Jainkittivong A, Aneksuk V, Langlais RP. Oral mucosal conditions in elderly dental patients. Oral Dis. Jul 2002;8(4):218-23. [Medline].

  18. Kulak-Ozkan Y, Kazazoglu E, Arikan A. Oral hygiene habits, denture cleanliness, presence of yeasts and stomatitis in elderly people. J Oral Rehabil. Mar 2002;29(3):300-4. [Medline].

  19. Nikawa H, Jin C, Makihira S, Egusa H, Hamada T, Kumagai H. Biofilm formation of Candida albicans on the surfaces of deteriorated soft denture lining materials caused by denture cleansers in vitro. J Oral Rehabil. Mar 2003;30(3):243-50. [Medline].

  20. Naik AV, Pai RC. A study of factors contributing to denture stomatitis in a north Indian community. Int J Dent. 2011;2011:589064. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  21. Dorocka-Bobkowska B, Budtz-Jorgensen E, Wloch S. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for denture stomatitis. J Oral Pathol Med. Sep 1996;25(8):411-5. [Medline].

  22. Arendorf TM, Walker DM. Oral candidal populations in health and disease. Br Dent J. Nov 20 1979;147(10):267-72. [Medline].

  23. Newton AV. Denture sore mouth as possible etiology. Brit Dental J. 1962;112:357-60.

  24. Ryalat S, Darwish R, Amin W. New form of administering chlorhexidine for treatment of denture-induced stomatitis. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2011;7:219-25. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  25. Vitkov L, Weitgasser R, Lugstein A, Noack MJ, Fuchs K, Krautgartner WD. Glycaemic disorders in denture stomatitis. J Oral Pathol Med. Oct 1999;28(9):406-9. [Medline].

  26. Wilson J. The aetiology, diagnosis and management of denture stomatitis. Br Dent J. Oct 24 1998;185(8):380-4. [Medline].

  27. Matear DW. Demonstrating the need for oral health education in geriatric institutions. Probe. Mar-Apr 1999;33(2):66-71. [Medline].

 
Previous
Next
 
A variably intense erythema distributed over the part of the mucosa covered by the denture base is diagnostic of denture stomatitis.
When untreated and chronic, papillary epithelial hyperplasia may develop. This may need to be surgically removed before the denture is replaced or relined.
 
 
 
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2012 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.