Predictors of oral mucosal lesions among removable prosthesis wearers

Background and purpose: The purposes of this study were to analyse the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions with an emphasis on oral regions and possible predictors for their occurrence among removable prosthesis wearers. Materials and methods: The study included 125 removable prosthesis wearers (96 women and 29 men) who were divided into two groups: complete (n=86) and partial (n=39) denture prosthesis wearers. Predictors and oral mucosal lesions were assessed using a questionnaire and clinical oral examination. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association of oral lesions with predictors. Results: Oral mucosal lesions presented in 74.40% of examinees and their occurrence was linked to the male gender (p=0.045, OR 3.72; 95% CI:1.03-13.39) and xerostomia (p=0.005, OR 4.472; 95% CI:1.56-12.79). The majority of the lesions were present on the tongue (50.40%) and palate (43.20%), with the least occurring on the oral cavity floor (2.40%). The occurrence of palatal lesions was linked to age (p=0.008, OR 1.097; 95% CI:1.03-1.18), prosthesis age (p=0.002, OR 1.817; 95% CI:1.72-1.93), prosthesis wearing at night (p<0.001, OR 13.01; 95% CI:1.82-18.98), smoking (p=0.033, OR 4.532; 95% CI:1.13-18.11) and xerostomia (p=0.003, OR 5.874; 95% CI:1.81-18.98). The occurrence of tongue lesions was linked to age (p=0.042, OR 1.135; 95% CI:1.02-1.25). Conclusions: Increased care and frequent follow-ups need to be implemented among denture prosthesis wearers that are male, elderly, smokers, who wear prosthesis at night and patients with older prosthesis in order to diagnose and cure oral mucosal lesions in time.