EVALUATION OF DENTURE-RELATED FACTORS PREDISPOSING TO DENTURE STOMATITIS IN A LEBANESE POPULATION

BACKGROUND: Denture stomatitis is a common fungal oral infection of multifactorial etiology. Denture-related factors such as denture’s age, hygiene, night wearing and colonization by Candida albicans are known to predispose to denture stomatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate these factors and their relationship with the occurrence of denture stomatitis in a Lebanese population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients (40 women, 20 men; age range 40-80 years) showing clinical evidence of denture-related stomatitis were selected for this study. Swab samples from the palate and the palatal surfaces of the upper dentures of these patients were collected and examined mycologically. Denture’s age, hygiene, night wearing and colonization by Candida albicans were evaluated and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed a significant role for denture’s hygiene, night wearing, and colonization by Candida albicans in the installation of the denture stomatitis. Patient’s gender and age, as well as the denture’s age, were not significant predictors of the disease. CONCLUSION: In a sample of Lebanese population, poor denture hygiene, continuous denture use, and Candida denture colonization are important etiological factors that contribute to denture stomatitis.