[Morphological and functional characteristics of the palatal mucosa and the palatine glands]

Histologic findings of the palatal mucosa and the palatal glands of 73 patients with and without upper dentures were compared with distinctive marks, complaints and clinical diagnoses as well as with the secretion of the minor salivary glands. Patients complaining of oral burns show the same rate of patho-histologic findings as those without any complaints. Inflammation and atrophic reactions of the palatal mucosa and the palatal glands do not reduce the secretion rate of the minor glands. In these cases, however, considerable changes of the quotient exist between sodium and potassium ions of the palatal saliva secretion. Signs of inflammation of the palatal tissues were seen more frequently in full denture wearers and especially in those wearing upper dentures during day and night. Causative factors of denture incompatibility are discussed.