Comparison of denture stomatitis prevalence in 2 population groups.

PURPOSE: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to profile complete denture wearers in 2 different unmatched and nonrandomized population groups and compare any possible relationships between the prevalence of denture stomatitis and other factors involved in wearing complete dentures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Denture wearers who attended the clinics of the Dental School and Hospital, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (group A), and the Dental School, University of Athens, Greece (group B), were examined. The examination included a record of gender, age, years wearing a complete denture, number of dentures used, duration of current denture's usage, daily time period of denture wearing, and clinical examination of the maxillary denture-bearing mucosa. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test.

RESULTS: Denture wearers of group A were older, more experienced in wearing complete dentures, and had used more sets of dentures. The majority of patients used dentures exhibiting decreased vertical dimension of occlusion and wore their dentures only in the daytime. Denture stomatitis prevalence was statistically significantly different between groups A and B (27% and 39.7%, respectively). In both groups, the denture stomatitis prevalence was greater in women. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the age of denture wearers, the number of dentures used, or the vertical dimension of occlusion. In group B, the denture stomatitis prevalence was significantly related to the years of denture-wearing experience and the current denture's usage. In both groups, continuous denture wearing was highly related to denture stomatitis prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study showed that 2 different population groups of denture wearers presented different complete denture wearing habits and denture stomatitis prevalence. Comparisons indicate that proper denture wearing habits decrease the prevalence of denture stomatitis.