The effect of complete dentures on oral mucosa.

Abstract This paper describes how stereological principles can be used to measure parameters of oral epithelium. The conclusions which can be drawn, in relation to the particular biopsy site, are: 1. 1. In non-denture-bearing mucosa, epithelial thickness increases with age. 2. 2. In non-denture-bearing mucosa the ratio of basement membrane length to surface length is not related to age. 3. 3. In non-denture-bearing mucosa the thickness of the stratum corneum increases with age. 4. 4. The wearing of dentures seems to prevent the age-related increase in the thickness of the epithelium and of the stratum corneum. 5. 5. In denture wearers there is a reduction in the ratio of basement membrane length to surface length and this is related to the length of denture experience. 6. 6. The type of keratinization tends to change from complete orthokeratosis to incomplete orthokeratosis under dentures. 7. 7. These changes are evident 1 year after the insertion of immediate complete dentures in patients with no previous denture experience.