Unusual bone-forming lesion affecting complete denture wearer

two case reports

Abstract

Introduction: The use of complete removable dentures is associated with a high frequency of oral mucosal lesions. Among them, denture-induced fibrous inflammatory hyperplasia is one of the most common. Interestingly, some oral lesions occurring beneath complete dentures can present exuberant new bone formation, creating diagnostic difficulties. Patients: We present two interesting cases affecting complete denture wearers, showing each one unusual bone-forming lesion. The first was diagnosed as extensive mature bone formation with osteochondromatous metaplasia foci and the second as an exuberant exostosis. Discussion: Oral soft tissue lesions caused by ill-fitting dentures may present distinct microscopic variations such as osseous and chondromatous metaplasia arising of the connective tissue. These cases evidence that contributing factors for exostosis may be the chronic oral mucosa irritation at the tissue/denture base interface and a response to stresses transferred to the alveolar bone by the ill-fitting denture. Conclusion: Awareness of these lesions is essential to avoid unnecessary procedures, prevent misdiagnosis, reduce patient anxiety, consequently influencing oral health related-quality of life of edentulous patients.