Status of Removable Dentures and Relationship with Oral Candida-Associated Factors in a Geriatric Population in Catalonia.

PURPOSE: Colonization by Candida is related to wearing a denture. How denture type, status, and maintenance play a role in determining Candida colonization remains unknown. This work evaluated removable denture status in an elderly population and explored the association between denture-related factors and oral Candida colonization as determined by systemic and local factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Socio-demographic, general health, and behavioral data and oral factors were registered by means of a questionnaire. Oral, dental, and denture-related factors were assessed by clinical examination, and yeasts were isolated from oral and denture specimens. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relative relevance of risk factors. RESULTS: Overall, 52.4% of subjects used complete dentures in both lower and upper arches, and 90% of the prostheses were in good condition. Denture plaque index was high in most cases, and 75% of subjects had yeasts in their oral cavities. Oral Candida colonization was significantly associated with low saliva pH, sugar consumption, and the fault of a denture component; however, only sugar consumption was found to be an independent factor related with oral Candida colonization, showing an odds ratio of 3.04 in a multiple logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly people in this study used a complete denture in good condition, with a median age of 15 years. Daily or weekly sugar consumption was found to be highly associated with oral colonization by Candida.

Risk factors for denture-related oral mucosal lesions in a geriatric population.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Denture-related mucosal lesions have been broadly studied. However, no consensus has been reached regarding the risk factors associated with these lesions, and few studies have used multivariable analysis to determine the relative significance of different risks. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between systemic, local, and denture factors on the risk of denture-related oral mucosal lesions in an elderly population by using multivariable analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-four elderly denture wearers recruited from geriatric residences and day care centers participated in this cross-sectional study. All data were obtained by means of a questionnaire-interview, a physical examination, and complementary tests. Bivariate relationship and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed (α=.05). RESULTS: Angular cheilitis (34%), traumatic ulcers (15%), and denture stomatitis (14%) were the 3 most common lesions, and the prevalence of at least 1 denture-related mucosal lesion was 54%. The presence of denture stomatitis was related to low saliva pH, never having smoked, and regular sugar consumption. Angular cheilitis was associated with age, complete edentulism, the presence of oral Candida, a lack of denture stability, and a reduced occlusal vertical dimension. The presence of traumatic ulcers was related to a resorbed residual alveolar ridge. The presence of at least 1 lesion was associated with poor masticatory efficiency, being resident in a care facility, oral Candida, and a lack of denture stability. CONCLUSIONS: Several systemic, local, and denture-related characteristics are independent risk factors for denture-related mucosal lesions in an elderly population.