The Langerhans cell density of palatal epithelium in denture and non-denture wearers, as correlated with other parameters of the palatal mucosa.

A quantitative histological investigation was carried out on biopsy specimens taken from patients suffering from denture sore mouth. The results were compared with those obtained in investigations on denture and non-denture wearers. The sections were studied by standardized quantitative morphometric methods. After 4 years the denture bearing palatal epithelium from both groups, normal denture wearers and the patients suffering from denture sore mouth did not show changes in mean thickness of the epithelium as compared with the controls. The mitotic index in denture bearing epithelium from patients suffering from denture sore mouth was three times lower than in the epithelium of the normal denture wearers. The number of Langerhans cells correlated with the mitotic indices of the group of denture wearers and non-denture wearers. The group of denture sore mouth patients showing a low mitotic index showed a high number of Langerhans cells in their palatal epithelium. The three groups of patients investigated did not show differences in density of mast cells in the lamina propria of their palatal epithelium.