Hyderabad: Improperly-fitted dentures and incorrect dental procedures can cause the human papilloma virus (HPV) to proliferate in the oral cavity and could cause oral cancer, according to a study by doctors in Tata Memorial Hospital.
It was found that when dentures are not properly fitted, they become a reservoir for the HPV virus. There are chances of oral lesions developing. It was found that ‘chronic mucosal irritation’ occurs due to ill-fitting dentures which are now considered a risk in the development of oral cancer.
Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, professor and head and neck surgeon at the Tata Memorial Hospital, said, “These types of oral cancer occur commonly over the lateral border of the tongue. In patients without any addiction to tobacco. this could be one of the risk factors for the development of oral cancer.”
Denture-related sores due to malfunctioning or defective dentures are now viewed as a hazard causing the development of lesions in the oral cavity by researchers.
Every year, 3 lakh cases of oral cancers are detected worldwide, leading to about 1.45 lakh deaths annually. The five-year-survival of patients with oral cancer is between 55 and 60 per cent and it decreases to 30 to 40 per cent in advanced cases of oral cancer.
Senior oncologist Dr C. Srinivas said mucosal trauma results in inflammation, whereby the chemical mediators cause oxidative stress in the oral cavity. This would mean that there are genetic and epigenetic changes resulting in carcinogenesis.
“Persistent inflammation in these patients is the first warning sign. Patients are often taken care of by their physician or dentist at this initial stage. It’s important that people complete the treatment to ensure complete recovery and not leave it half-way,” Dr Srinivas said.
‘Chronic dental trauma’ in sites where the treatment has been carried in tooth must not be ignored. If there is recurrent pain or inflammation, it must be evaluated properly, said an oncologist. This will also help the oncologist to sensitise dentists and general physicians, as improper procedures are resulting in cancer which can be avoided, if the proper methods are followed.
