[Simulation of pigmented mucosa in complete dentures: development of an oral pigment index]. / Simulatie van de gepigmenteerde mucosa in gebitsprothesen: ontwikkeling van een classificatie.

In the non-Caucasian population the skin and oral tissues show pigmentation to a variable degree, but much more than in Caucasian. When a person becomes edentulous, the tissues containing oral pigmentation disappear. The patient's ethnic background gives no information to predict the characteristics of individual oral pigmentation; other sources have to be found. The mucosal pigmentation of 106 non-Caucasian, dentate people in Amsterdam and Los Angeles was investigated; a classification-chart of oral pigmentation with six types was designed. This tool makes it possible to help patient, dentist and dental technician to choose an accurate simulation of the contour of oral pigmentation in a denture. It is recommended to document the individual pigmentation before extractions are performed.

Bacterial involvement in denture-induced stomatitis.

Denture and mucosal plaque samples were collected from eight full-denture wearers of whom four suffered from denture-induced stomatitis (DIS). Cultures were made, and a proportional identification to species level was carried out of bacteria and yeasts. An inventory was made of the predominant flora. Results showed that the predominant microflora of both groups, both on dentures and the denture-bearing mucosa, consisted mainly of Gram-positive bacteria. Differences in the proportions of cocci were found between the predominant bacterial flora on the dentures. In the control group, 69% of the denture flora consisted of cocci, while on the dentures of the DIS group a mean of 33% cocci was found. Neither group of palates revealed any differences in the proportions of cocci. On these locations a mean of 69% was found. The plaque of dentures and the palates of the healthy group showed means of 35% and 31%, respectively, of obligate anaerobic bacteria, while in the DIS group these percentages were 56% and 43%, respectively. No obligately aerobic bacteria were found. Candida species was detected in both groups, both on dentures and palates in very low numbers (DIS group, median palates 0.02%, median dentures 0.25%). The predominant organisms were Streptococcus species, of which S. salivarius was mostly present on the palates of both groups. Other species which were regularly found at different locations were Veillonella parvula and species of Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Actinomyces.

Efficacy of 2.5% Pimafucin suspension in the treatment of denture stomatitis.

This double-blind clinical trial was carried out in 38 patients to compare the efficacy of 2.5% Pimafucin suspension with a placebo in the treatment of denture stomatitis. The diagnosis of Candida infection was confirmed by the making of cultures and microscopic examination. Data were analyzed from 32 patients, of whom 18 received Pimafucin suspension and 14 a placebo suspension. Pimafucin suspension-treated patients showed a significant reduction of Candida infection in terms of culture, culture growth, and number of colonies within the first week of therapy. There was no statistical evidence of relapse during the 4-week period after therapy was stopped. The group receiving a placebo failed to show any statistically significant improvement with respect to the mentioned parameters. Erythema of oral mucosa showed significant improvement in both groups. No side effects were found.