Characterization of intraoral chronic traumatic factors in benign and malignant lesions of oral mucosa

Keywords: intraoral chronic trauma, oral cancer, chronic traumatic ulcer          
OBJECTIVE: to analize differences of functional, prosthetic and dental factors in Oral Carcinoma (OC), Chronic Traumatic Ulcer (CTU) and benign traumatic lesions of oral cavity. MÉTHOD: A retrospective study of 282 patients of both sexes, aged between 18 and 80 years, with OC, CTU and benign lesions in relation with chronic intraoral trauma (CIT). Clinic diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological results of Hematoxilin⁄Eosin-stained biopsies whenever deemed necessary. All patients were studied in the Department of Clinical Stomatology A of the National University of Cordoba, where the medical history were done taking into account sociocultural, psychosocial, genetic, environmental, medical and dental variables. Examination of the oral cavity was performed by calibrated dentists, through visual inspection and palpation. Intraoral traumatic factors were classified in three groups: dental, prosthetic and functional; data were adjusted for CIT. RESULTS: OC and CTU were associated with prosthetic factors, especially to lack of retention and stability of the prothesis. Also, CTU was mainly associated to dental factors, in particular sharp teeth. Functional trauma was present commonly in relation to dental and prosthetic factors. CIT time was strongly correlated with OC and CTU.CONCLUSION: some variables show differences between dental, prosthetics and functional factors in relationship with OC, CTU and benign lesions. CIT action time is an important factor to consider in OC and CTU development.