1/19. Complete dentures and the associated soft tissues. Some of the conditions of the soft tissues related to complete dentures encountered during a period of 25 years at a university clinic were presented and discussed from the standpoint of the clinical prosthodontist. During this time, over 1,000 denture patients were treated each year. For some conditions, a method of management was offered with treatment by sound prosthodontic principles rather than unneccessary medication. That denture fabrication involves much more than mere mechanical procedures is an understatement. Complete dentures are foreign objects in the oral cavity that are accepted and tolerated by the tissue to a degree that is surprising. As prosthodontists, we can gain satisfaction from the realization that the incidence of oral cancer due to dentures is less than extremely low. At the same time, we must be ever mindful of the statement by Sheppard and associates. "Complete dentures are not the innocuous devices we often think they are." Every dentist must remember that one of his greatest missions is to serve as a detection agency for cancer. The information discussed indicates (1) the need for careful examination of the mouth, (2) the value of a rest period of 8 hours every day for the supporting tissues, and (3) the importance of regular recall visits for denture patients. Robinson stated that while the dental laboratory technician can be trained to aid the dentist in the fabrication of prosthetic devices, his lack of knowledge of reactions and diseases of the oral tissues limits him to an auxiliary role. Complete prosthodontics is a highly specialized health service that greatly affects the health, welfare, and well-being of the patient. It can be rendered only by the true professional who is educated in the biomedical sciences. ( info) |
2/19. Case challenge: persistent oral tenderness. An 81-year old male presents with a chief complaint of oral soreness, primarily involving the tongue and denture-bearing mucosa. Symptoms have been present for approximately two months and have not been relieved by denture adjustments. ( info) |
3/19. Case report: differential pressure impressions for complete dentures. A method of producing a differential pressure, secondary impression of a lower arch with a sharp bony ridge is described. The use of this technique allows the clinician to dictate where the load is to be borne by the mucosa. ( info) |
4/19. Cutaneous facial sinus tract of denture-related aetiology? A case report. A case is reported of a chronic facial sinus on the mandible. It is postulated that this was due to chronic mucosal trauma associated with a poorly adapted denture in a patient rendered immunosuppressed by poorly controlled type II diabetes. Previous treatment with antibiotics alone was unsuccessful. Healing was only achieved when antibiotics were combined with removal of the denture and improved diabetic control. ( info) |
| OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our report is to present the effect of low-level laser therapy on candida albicans growth and palatal inflammation in two patients with denture stomatitis. BACKGROUND DATA: The most common oral mucosal disorder in denture wearers is denture stomatitis, a condition that is usually associated with the presence of the yeast candida albicans. Different treatment methods have been suggested to treat this symptom, none of which is proven to be absolutely effective. methods: Two denture-wearing patients, both with palatal inflammation diagnosed as Newton type II denture stomatitis were treated with low-power semiconductor diode laser (BTL-2000, Prague, czech republic) at different wavelengths (685 and 830 nm) for 5 d consecutively. In both patients, palatal mucosa and acrylic denture base were irradiated in noncontact mode (probe distance of 0.5 cm from irradiated area) with different exposure times-5 min (830 nm, 3.0 J/cm2, 60 mW) and 10 min (685 nm, 3.0 J/cm2, 30 mW). The effect of laser light on fungal growth in vivo was evaluated after the final treatment using the swab method and semiquantitative estimation of candida albicans colonies growth on agar plates. The severity of inflammation was evaluated using clinical criteria. RESULTS: After lowlevel laser treatment, the reduction of yeast colonies on the agar plates was observed and palatal inflammation was diminished. CONCLUSION: LLLT is effective in the treatment of denture stomatitis. Further placebo controlled studies are in progress. ( info) |
6/19. Denture hyperplasia with areas simulating oral inverted ductal papilloma. Denture hyperplasia is a reactive lesion of the oral mucosa, usually associated to an ill-fitting denture. This lesion is easily diagnosed and in some cases distinct microscopic variations such as osseous, oncocytic and squamous metaplasia may be found. These metaplastic alterations probably are associated with the lymphocytic infiltrate usually present in denture hyperplasia. We present a case of denture hyperplasia containing salivary gland tissue with ductal alterations mimicking an oral inverted ductal papilloma. ( info) |
7/19. Complications of pediatric denture misuse: a case report. The multiple loss of primary molars due to caries or other reasons in the primary or mixed dentition can lead to severe mutilation of the developing dentition. It is advisable to construct a removable appliance to maintain the relationship of the remaining teeth and to guide the eruption of the developing teeth in order to prevent the child from developing psychological and speech problems. However, parental and patient cooperation are imperative if the pediatric patient is to exercise the necessary care to maintain the denture in a clean and healthy condition. This case report identifies the complications that can arise from the uncontrolled misuse of a pediatric denture. It is concluded that as well as the parents, the pediatric dentists play an important role in the follow-up of the young patients for whom pediatric dentures are constructed. Additionally, patients should be re-called for check-up visits or instructed to refer to the dental clinics in 6-month intervals. Brochures that inform the patients and their parents about the application and care of pediatric dentures and space maintainers should be given. ( info) |
| A variety of pathologic conditions can cause orofacial pain. Establishing the etiology of the pain is key to providing appropriate treatment. trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a relatively uncommon condition and can present a diagnostic challenge to even the experienced dental practitioner. The authors discuss two cases of TN that exhibited intraoral trigger points, which initially resulted in confusion regarding the establishment of a correct diagnosis and treatment. ( info) |
9/19. Clinical aspects of Candida infection in denture wearers. Candida-induced denture stomatitis usually does not reflect any deep-seated, systemic abnormality, the dentures being the primary predisposing condition. However, infection with C albicans should be recognized as an extremely common complication to the wearing of dentures. Most cases are treated relatively easily, but recurrences are frequent and the infection often spreads to other parts of the oral mucosa. Therefore, preventive measures should be taken against colonization by Candida of the palatal mucosa and the dentures. In healthy persons, Candida-induced denture stomatitis is not serious; however, it should be considered a possible spearhead of systemic yeast infections in seriously ill patients, especially in those subjected to prolonged treatment with antibiotics, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive drugs. ( info) |
10/19. Diphenylhydantoinate-induced hyperplasia of the masticatory mucosa in an edentulous epileptic patient. gingival hyperplasia caused by phenytoin sodium is rarely encountered in edentulous persons. A case of generalized palatal hyperplasia is reported in which retained roots and teeth were suspected of having perpetuated a preextraction lesion, whereas a subsequently placed complete denture initiated a midpalatal hyperplasia. The lesion remained in spite of nonuse of the denture for several years. ( info) |