FREQUENCY AND ASSOCIATION OF VARIOUS RISK FACTORS OF ORAL MUCOSAL LESIONS AMONG COMPLETE DENTURE WEARERS

Objective: To determine frequency and association of various risk factors of oral mucosal lesions among complete denture wearers. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Prosthodontics, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, from February to November 2024, involving 114 complete denture wearers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographics, medical history, and denture care practices. Clinical examinations were performed under chair light using sterilized instruments, following WHO biosafety protocols. Oral mucosal lesions were diagnosed using WHO criteria, and denture-related factors such as retention, stability, occlusal vertical dimension, and structural integrity were assessed. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22. Results: This study reported a 54.5% prevalence of oral mucosal lesions, with traumatic ulcers (19.3%) being the most common, followed by denture stomatitis (14.9%), epulis fissuratum (9.6%), and angular cheilitis (6.1%). A significant association was found between age and lesion prevalence (p = 0.048), but not gender (p = 0.897) or smoking (p = 0.158). Infrequent denture cleaning and poor prosthesis retention and stability were significantly linked to higher lesion rates (p ≤ 0.001) Conclusion: This study underscores the high prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in the elderly, emphasizing the need for personalized preventive care. Given their multifactorial causes—age-related changes, systemic health, and behavioral factors—regular dental assessments are crucial to improving oral and overall well-being in this population. Keywords: Risk factors, oral mucosal lesions, complete denture