Mouth floor enlargements related to the sublingual glands in edentulous or partially edentulous patients: a microscopic study

Authors

  • Liogi Iwaki Filho University of Maringá
  • José Humberto Damante University of São Paulo; Bauru Dental School; Department of Oral Medicine
  • Alberto Consolaro University of São Paulo; Bauru Dental School
  • Wellington Cardoso Bonachela University of São Paulo; Bauru Dental School
  • Carla Andreotti Damante University of São Paulo; Bauru Dental School; Department of Periodontology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-77572006000400010

Keywords:

Human salivary glands, Histology, Sublingual gland

Abstract

Mouth floor enlargements (MFE) are observed in edentulous and partially edentulous patients, impairing denture fitting, and have recently been described in the literature as hyperplasias of the sublingual glands. OBJECTIVE: This study aims at describing the microscopic aspects of MFE that contribute to their final diagnosis. METHODS: Twenty-four specimens were surgically removed from the enlarged mouth floor of 19 patients (15 females and 4 males). Patient age ranged from 48 to 74 years, with a mean of 57 years. The main surgical indication was to permit or improve the fitting of dentures. Six patients were completely edentulous and 13 were partially edentulous. The material was processed for microscopic examination and stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Mallory's trichrome and periodic-acid Schiff (PAS). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The epithelium of the mouth floor was normal in 17 cases, hyperplastic in 4 and atrophic in 3. Six of the 24 sublingual glands removed were microscopically normal, while the other specimens presented acinar atrophy with hyperplasia of duct-like structures. Interstitial fibrosis was observed in 18 cases and was accompanied by adipose tissue infiltration in 15. Decreased lymphoid tissue was observed in 16 samples and oncocytosis was present in 5 cases. We suggest that MFE in edentulous or partially edentulous patients should be considered as an entity for the text books.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2006-08-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Mouth floor enlargements related to the sublingual glands in edentulous or partially edentulous patients: a microscopic study . (2006). Journal of Applied Oral Science, 14(4), 264-269. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-77572006000400010