DENTURE RELATED STOMATITIS Definition

Definition Denture-related stomatitis indicates an inflammatory process of the mucosa that bears a complete or partial removable dental appliance, typically a denture. Since it was described as “sore mouth under plates”, several terms have been used in the past to define this condition: “chronic denture palatitis”, “stomatitis prothetica”, “denture related candidiasis” “denture-induced stomatitis” and “denture stomatitis”. The classical expression “denture sore mouth” is being abandoned as most patients show asymptomatic lesions. Nowadays, “denture stomatitis” stands for a mild chronic erythematous candidiasis, usually seen after middle age as erythema limited to the area beneath an upper denture, with the presence of the denture as the only common etiologic factor to these situations. It is not caused by allergy to the denture material.