Denture-Related Stomatitis and Oral Microbial Management
Summary
Denture-related stomatitis is a prevalent inflammatory condition of the palatal mucosa that affects a substantial proportion of denture wearers worldwide. It is chiefly driven by the development of polymicrobial biofilms on the fitting surface of removable prostheses, in which Candida albicans frequently dominates. Factors such as continuous overnight denture wear, inadequate denture and oral hygiene, and material surface characteristics promote biofilm maturation and mucosal irritation. Chronic mucosal inflammation may predispose patients to secondary infections, nutritional compromise and, in vulnerable populations, respiratory complications. Management encompasses patient education, meticulous mechanical and chemical cleansing regimens, periodic professional maintenance and, where indicated, modification of denture base materials to incorporate antimicrobial agents. Emerging strategies seek to rebalance the oral microbiome, mitigate antifungal resistance and improve prosthesis design to limit biofilm retention without compromising mechanical performance. This multifaceted approach has global significance as populations age and the need for safe, effective prosthetic care intensifies.
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Denture-Related Stomatitis and Oral Microbial Management publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in denture-related stomatitis and oral microbial management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Denture-related stomatitis: Inflammatory response of mucosal tissues beneath a denture, often associated with biofilm formation and Candida overgrowth.
Biofilm: Structured microbial community attached to a surface and embedded within a self-produced extracellular matrix, exhibiting increased resistance to antimicrobials.
Candida albicans: Opportunistic yeast species commonly implicated in denture stomatitis, capable of yeast-to-hyphae transition enhancing tissue invasion.
Quaternary ammonium compound: Positively charged antimicrobial agents that disrupt microbial cell membranes, used to functionalise dental materials.
Mucosal microbiome: The complex ecosystem of microorganisms residing on oral mucosal surfaces, whose balance is critical for health.
References
- Benzyldimethyldodecyl Ammonium Chloride-Doped Denture-Based Resin: Impact on Strength, Surface Properties, Antifungal Activities, and In Silico Molecular Docking Analysis. Journal of Functional Biomaterials (2024).
- Strategies for Preventing and Treating Oral Mucosal Infections Associated with Removable Dentures: A Scoping Review. Antibiotics (2024).
- Antimicrobial Efficacy and Biocompatibility of a Denture Cleanser Containing Paeonia lactiflora Extract. Biomedicines (2025).
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