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Abstract
Background
Denture base materials play a critical role in determining the biological response of oral tissues in edentulous patients. Autopolymerized acrylic resins offer clinical advantages in terms of ease of fabrication; however, concerns regarding their biocompatibility and potential effects on oral mucosa persist. Limited regional data exist comparing their mucosal impact with conventional heat-cured polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) dentures.
Objective
To compare the oral mucosal response, assessed by the mean number of keratinized epithelial cells, between autopolymerized and heat-cured denture base materials in completely edentulous patients.
Methods
This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Prosthodontics, Bacha Khan College of Dentistry, Mardan, Pakistan, from December 2024 to May 2025. A total of 60 completely edentulous patients were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups (n=30 each). Group A received complete dentures fabricated using autopolymerized acrylic resin, while Group B received heat-cured PMMA dentures. After two months of denture use, exfoliative cytology samples were obtained from the mandibular alveolar ridge mucosa. The number of keratinized epithelial cells was assessed under light microscopy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and an independent t-test was applied to compare group means, with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results
The mean number of keratinized epithelial cells was significantly higher in Group A (37.82 ± 4.21) compared to Group B (34.96 ± 4.38) (p = 0.012). Stratified analysis demonstrated a consistent trend of higher keratinization in the autopolymerized group across age, gender, and duration of edentulism, with statistically significant differences observed in selected subgroups.
Conclusion
Autopolymerized denture base material is associated with increased epithelial keratinization compared to heat-cured PMMA, indicating a relatively greater mucosal response. While both materials remain clinically acceptable, careful consideration should be given to material selection and post-insertion follow-up. These findings provide important region-specific evidence to support clinical decision-making in prosthodontic practice.