[Experimental study on influence of dentures on the palatal mucosa].

In order to study the influence of dentures on the supporting mucosa, histological and immunohistochemical observations were done on the hard palates of monkeys after being subjected to mechanical stimuli using experimental dentures. The following results were obtained: 1. Light microscopic observations revealed that changes for the most part occurred superficial to the connective tissue papilla. Although there was an overall decrease in the thickness of the epithelium, a marked thickening was observed in the stratum corneum. 2. SEM observation revealed desquamative changes and a decrease in the exfoliation of keratinized cells of the epithelial surface in the indentation region. Changes were observed in the direction of the connective tissue papilla, and after 20 days changes were observed in the shape itself of the connective tissue papilla. 3. TEM observation revealed a tendency for the shape of the cells in the basal epithelium in the region under pressure to become smaller after 10 days. No difference was observed with the controls in the prickle cells or above, 4. Although nuclei taking in Bromodeoxyuridine decreased considerably in the region under pressure, the degree of decrease was fixed and no change was observed with time.