Impact of dental restorations and removable prostheses on potentially malignant oral mucosal disorders in the general population.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Dental restorations and removable dental prostheses have been considered as risk factors for potentially malignant disorders of the oral mucosa. It remains unclear whether amalgam, composite resins, and prosthesis materials can induce potentially malignant disorders.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to determine the relationship between the presence of amalgam and composite resin restorations, crowns and fixed partial dentures, and removable prostheses in potentially malignant disorders.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The data of 6041 participants in the population-based Studies of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) were accessed. Potentially malignant disorders had been clinically diagnosed by calibrated dentists and documented with photographs. Dental treatment was subdivided into restored and replaced teeth. Dental restorations were subclassified as buccal composite resin or amalgam restorations. Prosthetic treatment was subclassified into removable partial or complete prostheses and definitive restorations with crowns and fixed partial dentures.

RESULTS

In the maxilla, participants with removable prostheses had a higher incidence of potentially malignant disorders than participants not undergoing treatment with removable prostheses (OR 2.12; 95% CI: 1.08-4.18), but not in the mandible (OR 1.30; 95% CI: 0.67-2.53). The surfaces with composite resin restorations were associated with a slightly higher risk of mucosal lesions than those without the restorations (OR 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.07). No significant association was found between amalgam restorations and mucosal lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants with removable prostheses have a higher risk of potentially malignant disorders. Composite resin restorations are associated with a higher risk of mucosal lesions, whereas no significant association was found between amalgam restorations and mucosal lesions.