[A clinical study on the feeling of oral dryness in denture wearers. Part 1. Results of a questionnaire survey].

PURPOSE We surveyed youths and denture wearers to evaluate the feeling of oral dryness. In the denture wearers group, we evaluated the association between dentures and 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 youths (mean age, 25.6+/-2.4 years, 20-29 year-old group). The survey consisted of a questionnaire and oral and denture examination. The questionnaire asked about oral dryness symptoms, general condition and current medications. The oral and denture examination examined the condition of the remaining teeth, the kinds of prosthesis, materials of dentures and form of the denture base. RESULTS A feeling of oral dryness was observed in 11 of the 20-29 year-old group (22%) and 48 denture wearers (48%), hence the incidence was significantly higher in the denture wearers group (p<0.01). No association was observed between the oral dryness symptoms and age, sex, general condition, current medications, or number of residual teeth. The kinds of prosthesis (no denture, partial denture, complete denture) and form of the denture base have no relationship with the feeling of oral dryness. CONCLUSIONS 48% of the denture wearers had the feeling of oral dryness, and the incidence was higher than in the 20-29 year-old group. However, no association was observed between the oral dryness symptoms and dentures. Further studies are necessary to evaluate factors associated with the development of the feeling of oral dryness.