[A clinical study on the feeling of oral dryness in denture wearers. Part 2. Measurement of the height of the salivary moisture area].

PURPOSE We surveyed youths and denture wearers to evaluate the feeling of oral dryness. MATERIALS AND METHODS The survey was performed in 100 denture wearers (mean age, 66.2+/-8.6 years) who visited our department from June to October 2003. A similar survey was performed in 50 20-29 year-old persons (mean age, 25.6+/-2.4 years). Measurement of the height of the salivary moisture area, and detection of Candida were performed. We used Saliva Wet Tester for measuring the height of the salivary moisture area. RESULTS The mean height of the salivary moisture area was significantly lower in the denture wearers group than in the 20-29 year-old group (p<0.05). No association was observed between the height of the salivary moisture area and general condition, current medications, number of residual teeth, or the denture base. In the denture wearers group, the height of the salivary moisture area was high in patients with bounded saddle dentures or unilateral distal extension dentures in either or both jaws but low in those with dentures covering the entire palatal and lingual mucosa in both the upper and lower jaws. However, the feeling of oral dryness was not always consistent with the height of the salivary moisture area. In the denture wearers group, the height of the salivary moisture area matched the low tendency of detection of Candida of 100 CFU or more in patients. CONCLUSIONS The mean height of the salivary moisture area was significantly lower in the denture wearers group than in the 20-29 year-old group. However, the feeling of oral dryness was not always consistent with the height of the salivary moisture area. Further study, including a mental factor, is necessary.