Mandibular Advancement Devices in Patients with Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Review.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder resulting from the repetitive narrowing and collapse of the upper respiratory tract. The results of previous epidemiological studies confirm a significant impact of OSA on the health situation around the world. Untreated OSA is associated with many adverse health effects, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and daytime sleepiness. Excessive mortality of OSA patients, especially in men under 50 years of age, associated with advanced disease, obesity, cardiovascular complications, and a greater risk of road accidents, requires an urgent extension of the diagnostic-therapeutic database dealing with this problem. It is estimated that in the adult population, OSA occurs in 4% of men and in 2% of women. In recent years, intraoral devices have become an increasingly common method of OSA and snoring treatment. Nevertheless, the use of devices producing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the most effective treatment method. However, intraoral devices have the advantage of not requiring a source of electricity and are less troublesome in everyday use. Intraoral devices are well tolerated by the majority of patients, and their therapeutic efficacy is confirmed. Since such devices become commoner, the purpose of this work was to present the procedures, indications, and recommendations involved with intraoral devices while taking into consideration a variety of dental conditions. The side effects of the use of intraoral devices and their influence on the entire stomatognathic system were also described.

Mandibular Advancement Devices in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Intolerant to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is defined as episodes of upper airway obstruction occurring during sleep. Conservative treatment of OSA consists of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). An alternative treatment in mild-to-moderate OSA could be the use of intraoral mandibular advancement devices (MAD). The aim of this study was to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of MAD in OSA patients intolerant to CPAP. The study group included 8 patients, who fulfilled specific inclusion criteria during a dental examination, out of the 30 CPAP intolerant patients who were referred for the possible use of MAD. The selected patients used MAD for 30 days and then switched to CPAP for 10 days to compare the effectiveness of both treatment methods. They had 3 polysomnographic (PSG) examination: baseline before treatment, and at the end of MAD and CPAP. We found that either treatment method resulted in comparable symptomatic improvements in OSA patients. In detail, the apnea-hypopnea index decreased, along with the overall number of obstructive, central, and mixed apneic episodes during sleep time. The mean arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) improved and the minimum SaO2 level noted during night time got enhanced. Differences in the sleep apnea indices after MAD and CPAP treatments were insignificant, but there was a consistent impression that CPAP was superior to MAD as it tended to improve symptoms to a somehow greater extent. We conclude that MAD is a sufficiently effective treatment alternative for OSA patients who are intolerant to CPAP or in whom CPAP therapy fails.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Mandibular Advancement Devices in Patients with Severe Sleep Apnea: A Preliminary Report.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is defined as episodes of upper airway obstructions during sleep. The method of choice in conservative treatment of OSA is the use of devices that produce positive airway pressure (CPAP). In patients with mild-moderate form of OSA, intraoral mandibular advancement devices (MAD) are applied. The aim of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of MAD in patients with severe OSA who were unable to use CPAP. In this preliminary study three patients from a group of 25 severe OSA sufferers who failed to use CPAP, were included. The three patients underwent a triple polysomnographic (PSG) investigation: on CPAP, before MAD treatment, and during MAD. The patients completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire twice. We found significant improvements of subjective symptoms and PSG-evaluated variables after application of MAD in all three patients in comparison with both baseline and CPAP-recorded data. We conclude that MAD can be an alternative treatment option for severe OSA patients who are non-compliant with CPAP therapy.

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity of Candida spp. and Klebsiella spp. Isolated from the Denture Plaque of COPD Patients.

Yeast-like fungi and gram-negative bacilli are the most frequent potential pathogens of the respiratory tract isolated from the denture plaque of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Dominant species among yeast-like fungi are Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Significant frequency is also exhibited by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca. The purpose of this study was to analyze genetic diversity of the strains of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and Klebsiella spp. present in patients in stable phases of COPD. The analysis was conducted by the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method on clinical strains isolated from patients with COPD and control patients in overall good health. Forty one strains of Candida albicans, 12 of Candida tropicalis, as well as 9 strains of K. pneumoniae and 7 of K. oxytoca were scrutinized. The dominant species in clinical material from COPD patients was Candida albicans with a substantial degree of variations of genetic profiles. On the basis of affinity analysis, 19 genetic types were identified within this strain. An analysis of the banding patterns among C. tropicalis strains indicated the existence of 6 genetic types. A considerable diversity of genetic profiles among Klebsiella spp. also was established. The genotype diversity of Klebsiella spp. strains may indicate the endogenic character of the majority of infections, regardless of the therapy applied for the underlying condition.

Mandibular Advancement Appliance for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment.

A combination of abnormal anatomy and physiology of the upper airway can produce its repetitive narrowing during sleep, resulting in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Treatment of sleep-breathing disorder ranges from lifestyle modifications, upper airway surgery, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to the use of oral appliances. A proper treatment selection should be preceded by thorough clinical and instrumental examinations. The type and number of specific oral appliances are still growing. The mandibular advancement appliance (MAA) is the most common type of a dental device in use today. The device makes the mandible protrude forward, preventing or minimizing the upper airway collapse during sleep. A significant variability in the patients' response to treatment has been observed, which can be explained by the severity of sleep apnea at baseline and duration of treatment. In some trials, patients with mild OSA show a similar treatment effect after the use of CPAP or MAA. It is worthwhile to give it a try with an oral appliance of MAA type in snoring, mild-to-moderate sleep apnea, and in individuals who are intolerant to CPAP treatment.

Diagnosis of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis.

Culturing strains from clinical samples is the main method to diagnose invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Detecting the galactomannan antigen in serum samples is an auxiliary examination. The goal of this study was to determine the frequency with which Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured in clinical samples taken from patients hospitalized in the the Infant Jesus Teaching Hospital in Warsaw, Poland, in the period of 2013-2014. Specimens from the respiratory tract and blood were cultured for mycological and serological assessments. Strain isolation was performed in chloramphenicol Sabouraud agar. Species identification was based on morphological traits in macro-cultures and on microscopic examination. The galactomannan antigen was detected by ELISA method. Out of 2000 clinical samples with positive mycological results, 200 were obtained from the respiratory tract. A. fumigatus was cultured in 13 cases from the respiratory group. Ten cases were cultured out of tracheal aspirates and three from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The galactomannan antigen was detected in a serum sample from only one out of the 13 patients with cultures positive for A. fumigatus. It also was detected in serum samples of three other patients in whom A. fumigatus culture yielded a negative result. We conclude that culture-confirmed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis represents a scarce finding. A. fumigatus cultured from clinical samples may not always be confirmed by ELISA assay and vice versa a positive ELISA result does not attest the successful culture.

The Management of Patients after Surgical Treatment of Maxillofacial Tumors.

Morphological and functional disturbances induced by postsurgical defects and loss of tissues in the stomatognathic system due to the treatment of tumors in the maxillofacial region determine the therapeutic needs of patients. The study aimed at clinical and epidemiological evaluation of patients under prosthetic treatment in order to establish the algorithm for rehabilitation. The study group was composed of the patients after midface surgery (45.74%); surgery in a lower part of the face (47.38%); mixed postoperative losses (3.44%); loss of face tissues and surgery in other locations in the head and neck region (3.44%). The supplementary treatment was applied in 69.63% of patients. Clinical and additional examinations were performed to obtain the picture of postoperative loss, its magnitude, and location to plan the strategy of prosthetic rehabilitation. The management algorithm for prosthetic rehabilitation in patients after surgical treatment of maxillofacial neoplasms was based on its division in stages. The location and magnitude of postoperative losses, as well as the implementation of supplementary treatment of the patients after treatment of maxillofacial tumors, influence the planning of prosthetic rehabilitation that plays a key role and facilitates the patients' return to their prior living situation, occupational and family lives.

Clinical and Microbiological Evaluation of Removable Prosthetic Restorations in Patients Treated With an Organ Transplant.

BACKGROUND: Removable dentures improve function and aesthetics of masticatory organ. Their proper scheme of use and hygiene procedures have an impact on biofilm formation. Microorganisms in biofilm are often resistant to many antibiotics and may pose a potential threat to patients treated with organ transplant. The study provided for evaluation of dental prostheses hygiene standards with reference to staphylococcal microflora in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: The study involved 62 patients with removable prostheses. Thirty-seven subjects of this group had renal replacement therapy. The other 25 were volunteers with normal renal function. Medical and dental history was collected. Denture hygiene was assessed and swab sampling for microbiological testing were performed on the impression surface of the denture plate. RESULTS: Denture hygiene standards and proper scheme of their use were significantly better in patients of the control group. In both groups, significantly with longer denture use, patient care to provide proper hygiene standards declines. Staphylococcal strains were found in 92% patients of the study group and 84% of the control group, 43% of which were multi-drug resistant strains. No relation was found between patients overall health conditions as well as denture use methods and composition of staphylococcal denture plaque. CONCLUSIONS: Overall health conditions and denture use methods might not have an influence on staphylococcal denture plaque composition. However, the studies conducted did not answer the question of whether the above factors cause quantitative differences. Multidrug-resistant staphylococcal strains inhabiting denture surface may pose a threat to the health of kidney transplant recipients.

Epidemiological and Drug-Resistance Types of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strains Isolated From Surgical and Transplantation Ward Patients During 2010 to 2011.

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of multi-drug-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a substantial problem in hospitals worldwide, especially in wards with immunocompromised patients undergoing organ transplant. Epidemiological characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of hospital-acquired (HA) MRSA strains isolated from surgical/transplantation ward patients were studied. METHODS: We analyzed 26 HA-MRSA strains isolated from 22 patients hospitalized at 3 different surgical and transplantation wards at a Warsaw clinical hospital during 2010 to 2011. Eleven patients were MRSA-asymptomatic carriers. Strain relatedness was evaluated through the use of multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), multi-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA), and random amplified polymorphic DNA/arbitrarily primed PCR (RAPD) methods. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed the use of routine diagnostic methods. RESULTS: The evaluated strains belonged to 4 clonal complexes (CCs) and 4 sequence types (STs): CC30/ST36 (65.4%), CC8/ST8 (15.4%), CC5/ST1827 (11.5%), and CC1/ST1 (7.7%). Six MLVA types and 6 RAPD types were isolated. A ciprofloxacin-, erythromycin-, and clindamycin-resistant CC30/ST36 clone (MLVA type 1, RAPD type 1A) was isolated in all wards. The isolated HA-MRSA strains were most often resistant to ciprofloxacin (100%), erythromycin (96.2%), clindamycin (84.6%), and gentamycin (30.8%). CONCLUSIONS: A ciprofloxacin-, erythromycin-, and clindamycin-resistant HA-MRSA ST36 CC30 clone, which prevailed on transplantation wards in the years 2010 to 2011, is probably one of the international epidemic clones named UK EMRSA-16 or USA200.

Comparison of Staphylococcal Flora in Denture Plaque and the Surface of the Pharyngeal Mucous Membrane in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Biofilm occurring on removable prostheses is a reservoir of bacterial flora, consisting of both physiological and pathogenic multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Patients undergoing dialysis and organ transplantation are particularly prone to bacterial infections, which can have its source in denture plaque. This study was a comparison of the composition of staphylococcal flora within the surface of the pharyngeal mucous membrane as well as denture plaque in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: The study included 44 subjects with removable prostheses who reported for a kidney transplant procedure. Swab samples were collected from prostheses and the pharyngeal wall. Isolated strains were identified and investigated for drug resistance. RESULTS: A total of 72 strains of Staphylococcus were isolated from the denture plaque and 53 from the pharynx. In the pharynx, the following species prevailed: Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus warneri, and Staphylococcus aureus. The following species prevailed in denture plaque: S epidermidis, S aureus, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Among the pharyngeal strains, antibiotic resistance most commonly referred to natural penicillin (77%), constitutive macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance (28%), and tetracycline (26.4%). In case of denture plaque, the highest percentage of strains demonstrated resistance to natural penicillin (60%), fosfomycin (32%), and cefoxitin (25%). In 10 subjects (48%), Staphylococcus-induced infections occurred in the first year after transplantation, 5 of which had the same bacterial strain as cultured previously from dentures. CONCLUSIONS: The denture biofilm and surface of the pharynx differ in terms of bacterial composition and bacterial drug resistance profiles. Denture plaque constitutes a considerable reservoir of staphylococcal flora, which can be a potential source of infection in organ transplant recipients.

Prosthetic Rehabilitation of Patients After Surgical Treatment of Maxillary Tumors with Respect to Upper Airway Protection.

As a consequence of surgical treatment of maxillary tumors, a connection between oral and nasal cavities is formed, which leads to serious functional disorders, manifested by inability to normally ingest food, proper speech articulation, and to respiratory route disorders and upper airway inflammation. These morphological and functional disorders are intensified by adjunctive radio- or chemotherapy. The aim of this paper is to present different possible methods of rehabilitation, including application of interim obturators and individually planned prosthetic restorations to improve respiratory efficiency in patients after extensive maxillary resections. In the course of prosthetic treatment, cooperation with the laryngologist to consider every aspect of chronic paranasal sinusitis, accompanied by concurrent inflammation of oral, nasal, or laryngeal mucous membranes, was of paramount importance. Based on the quality of life questionnaire, used in this study, evident improvement in the masticatory efficiency, speech articulation, and respiration was observed. Particularly good effects were obtained in edentulous patients, in whom implant-prosthetic treatment was possible to apply. Comprehensive and multidisciplinary care of postoperative patients greatly contributes to their better quality of life and facilitates their return to prior living conditions, as well as to occupational and family lives.

Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders and Bruxism.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is a sleep-related breathing disorder, due mainly to peripheral causes, characterized by repeated episodes of obstruction of the upper airways, associated with snoring and arousals. The sleep process fragmentation and oxygen desaturation events lead to the major health problems with numerous pathophysiological consequences. Micro-arousals occurring during sleep are considered to be the main causal factor for night jaw-closing muscles activation called bruxism. Bruxism is characterized by clenching and grinding of the teeth or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible. The causes of bruxism are multifactorial and are mostly of central origin. Among central factors there are secretion disorders of central nervous system neurotransmitters and basal ganglia disorders. Recently, sleep bruxism has started to be regarded as a physiological phenomenon occurring in some parts of the population. In this article we present an evaluation of the relationship between OSA and sleep bruxism. It has been reported that the frequency of apneic episodes and that of teeth clenching positively correlates in OSA. However, clinical findings suggest that further studies are needed to clarify sleep bruxism pathophysiology and to develop new approaches to tailor therapy for individual patients with concomitant sleep bruxism and OSA.

The Prevalence of Oral Inflammation Among Denture Wearing Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Oral inflammation is an important contributor to the etiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which can impact patient's health status. Previous studies indicate that people with poor oral health are at higher risk for nosocomial pneumonia. Denture wearing is one promoting factor in the development of mucosal infections. Colonization of the denture plaque by Gram-negative bacteria, Candida spp., or other respiratory pathogens, occurring locally, may be aspirated to the lungs. The studies showed that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients treated with combinations of medicines with corticosteroids more frequently suffer from Candida-associated denture stomatitis. Treatment of oral candidiasis in patients with COPD constitutes a therapeutic problem. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the condition of oral mucosal membrane and denture hygiene habits. The guidelines for care and maintenance of dentures for COPD patients are presented in this paper. The majority of patients required improvement of their prosthetic and oral hygiene. Standard oral hygiene procedures in relation to dentures, conducted for prophylaxis of stomatitis complicated by mucosal infection among immunocompromised patients, are essential to maintain healthy oral tissues. The elimination of traumatic denture action in dental office, compliance with oral and denture hygiene, proper use and storage of prosthetic appliances in a dry environment outside the oral cavity can reduce susceptibility to infection. Proper attention to hygiene, including brushing and rinsing the mouth, may also help prevent denture stomatitis in these patients.

Influence of denture plaque biofilm on oral mucosal membrane in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have the lower airways colonized with pathogenic bacteria in a stable period of the disease and during exacerbations. The etiology of bacterial exacerbations of COPD depends on the underlying disease, the frequency of exacerbations and antibiotic therapy. Microorganisms can be aspirated off the denture plaque biofilm into the lower respiratory tract and could reduce the patient's immunity and cause pneumonia. COPD patients, who are using acrylic dentures in oral cavity, are exposed to denture stomatitis and oral candidiasis. The aim of this study was to establish the composition of denture plaque biofilm and its impact on the oral mucosa in COPD patients. The study included patients in a stable phase of COPD using removable denture and the control group included healthy wearer's appliances. Examinations concerned the oral mucosal membrane and the hygienic condition of prosthetic restorations. Microbiological examinations were performed by taking a direct swab from the surface of acrylic dentures. Seventeen bacterial and fungal strains were isolated from denture plaque of COPD patients, which could be a reservoir of pathogens in the upper and lower airways. The results showed a greater frequency of prosthetic stomatitis complicated by mucosal infections among COPD patients compared to healthy subjects.

Polymerase chain reaction melting profiles of Candida glabrata clinical isolates in solid organ transplant recipients in comparison to the other group of surgical patients.

The aim of the retrospective study were to estimate the prevalence of Candida glabrata in liver and kidney transplant recipients compared to patients with short bowel syndrome receiving chronic total parenteral nutrition and relevance of the polymerase chain reaction melting profile (PCR MP) method for Candida glabrata strains differentiation. C. glabrata clinical strains isolated from patients were identified by using standard mycological procedures. The analysis of genetic relatedness of the isolated strains was conducted using the PCR MP method. The prevalence of C. glabrata comprised 29% of all episodes of fungal colonization and infection in solid organ transplant recipients, and 54% of those in hospitalized patients receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition. Among 78 isolates obtained from 55 solid organ transplant recipients and 2 organ donors, 44 different C. glabrata PCR MP fingerprints were observed. Forty-seven organ recipients and one organ donor carried unique C. glabrata strains. Among 37 isolates obtained from 31 patients receiving long-term TPN, 8 different PCR MP profiles of C. glabrata strains were observed. Two patients carried unique C. glabrata strains. Most of the C. glabrata colonization and infections in solid-organ transplant recipients were caused by endogenic strains. Most of the C. glabrata colonization and infections in hospitalized patients receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition could result by patient-to-patient transmission. The results showed that the PCR MP technique is a good discriminatory method for genotyping for C. glabrata strains.

Occlusal stabilization splint therapy in orofacial pain and tension-type headache.

Studies suggest an association between orofacial pain, accompanying temporomandibular disorders of myogenous origin, and headache, especially its tension-type. The occlusal appliance therapy is one of the options for the treatment of orofacial pain due to masticatory muscles tenderness. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of occlusal stabilization splint therapy in myofascial pain and tension-type headache in patients with sleep-disordered breathing. Forty three such patients were enrolled into the study group. The patients were treated with stabilization occlusal splint of vertical thickness at vertical jaw separation, established individually for each patient using a cephalometric analysis. The intensity of orofacial pain (numeric rating scale) and headache (analog rating scale), frequency of headache (%), and jaw qualitative function were assessed at baseline and after 2 and 6 months. Medians of headache and orofacial pain intensity were reduced after 6 months of treatment compared with baseline: 6.0 vs. 2.0 (p < 0.0001) and 6.0 vs. 1.0 (p < 0.0001), respectively. Pain decreased below 3 score points in 61.8 % of the patients with headache (p = 0.23) and in 85.3 % of patients with orofacial pain (p < 0.0001). Overall, the improvement in both signs and symptoms of orofacial pain was observed 81.4 % of patients after using occlusal stabilization splint for 6 months. We conclude that occlusal stabilization splint was effective in reducing painful symptoms of temporomandibular disorders of myogenous origin, a frequent feature of sleep disordered breathing.

Assessment of temporomandibular joint disease.

The diagnosis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders consists of clinical (Reaserch Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, RDC/TMD) and additional (computer tomography, CT or magnetic resonance imaging, and MRI) examinations. Due to the growing knowledge of pathologic changes within the TMJ, the researches become more aware of the difficulty in detection the early symptoms of disorders using conventional examination. Therefore, it is now expected that the collected samples of synovial fluid, serum, or urine samples could enable easier identification of inflammatory process course, and degenerative cartilage changes state.

Influence of hormone supplementation therapy on the incidence of denture stomatitis and on chemiluminescent activity of polymorphonuclear granulocytes in blood of menopausal-aged women.

BACKGROUND: Menopause is a health and social problem that affects a large number of women. Inadequate quantity of steroid hormones also impacts quality of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. During menopausal age, many women wear removable prosthetic restorations in order to replace missing teeth. Such restorations may facilitate the development of inflammations in the surface of the oral cavity, referred to as denture stomatitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of hormone supplementation therapy on the incidence of Candida-associated denture stomatitis and on the metabolic activity of polymorphonuclear granulocytes in peripheral blood of female patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on a group of women in menopausal age, users of hormone replacement therapy and of removable prosthetic restorations. Female patients were subjected to a clinical study that included interviews and physical examinations. Laboratory microbiological examinations were completed on the basis of direct swabs collected from the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and from the surface of dentures. Metabolic activity of polymorphonuclear granulocytes in peripheral blood of female patients was evaluated by means of a chemiluminescence test. RESULTS: Candida-associated denture stomatitis observed was characterized by a strong growth of fungi and a lower chemiluminescent activity of neutrophils in blood of female patients undergoing hormone supplementation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients using hormone supplementation therapy and removable prosthetic restorations constitute a high-risk group for Candida infections and inflammations of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity; thus they should remain under constant dental control.

Algorithm of clinical protocol lowering the risk of systemic Mycosis infections in allografts recipients.

The aim of the study was to describe a diagnostic protocol to lower the risk of a mycotic invasive infection among allotransplant recipients and to suggest the use of preoperative prophylaxis and/or empiric therapy. We chose a group of 268 allograft recipients with transient or constant yeast colonization or confirmed yeast infection. Among 7744 clinical samples, 475 were positive for fungi. We used conventional fungal laboratory diagnosis, enzymatic activity tests, serologic tests, molecular diagnosis of samples from sterile body sites, and histopathologic examinations. The following clinical samples were examined: blood samples; swabs from mouth lesions, throat, and rectum; and sputum, urine, and fecal samples from kidney transplant recipients and simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation recipients who are highly predisposed to mycotic infections. We established microbiologic criteria of a systemic mycosis and principles to distinguish colonization from infection.

Influence of oral hygiene habits on prosthetic stomatitis complicated by mucosal infection after organ transplantation.

Organ transplant patients suffer impaired immunologic defense mechanisms, including antimucosal defenses. The presence of prosthetic appliances within the oral cavity constitutes an additional factor promoting the development of infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate hygiene habits in relation to prosthetic appliances and one's own teeth practiced by patients after organ transplantation. The study was conducted for prophylaxis of stomatitis complicated by mucosal infection. The research group was composed of patients using prosthetic appliances and undergoing immunosuppressive therapy after kidney or liver transplantation. The control group included healthy wearers of prosthetic appliances. In the course of the initial interview, particular attention was devoted to hygienic habits in relation to the oral cavity and prosthetic appliances, the duration of their use, and the appearance of subjective symptoms. The following examinations concerned the oral mucosal membrane; mouth corners and hygienic condition of prosthetic appliances. Additionally, microbiological examinations were performed by taking a direct swab from the oral mucosa and the surface of dentures. The results of this study showed a greater frequency of prosthetic stomatitis complicated by mucosal infections among patients after organ transplantation, even though these patients exhibited better hygienic standards of the oral cavity and prosthetic appliances.