Oral mucosal lesions in older adults wearing removable partial dentures

Introduction: The use of removable partial dentures is common among older adults and may be associated with various lesions of the oral mucosa. The objective of this study was to identify oral mucosal lesions in older adult patients who wear removable partial dentures.Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted during 2025 at the Rampa 1 clinic in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality, Cuba. The study population consisted of 432 patients aged 60 years or older. A non-probabilistic census sample of 148 patients wearing removable partial dentures was selected. Data were collected through direct clinical observation and a data collection form. The clinical examination was performed following the standard semiological sequence for oral cavity assessment, and informed consent was obtained from the participants. Results: Denture stomatitis was the most frequent lesion, occurring in 18% of cases, and predominated in female patients (70.6%). The hard palate was the most frequently affected site (52.7%). The majority of lesions were observed in patients who had used their dentures for 10 years or more (89.7%) and in cases involving ill-fitting dentures. Lesions such as epulis fissuratum, fibrous hyperplasia, traumatic ulcers, and fibromas were also observed exclusively in association with ill-fitting dentures. Furthermore, a higher frequency of lesions was evident in patients with poor denture hygiene. Conclusions: Oral mucosal lesions in older adults wearing removable partial dentures occurred primarily in patients exhibiting inadequate hygiene, prolonged denture use, and ill-fitting prostheses. Denture stomatitis and epulis fissuratum were the most frequently observed lesions.