Abstract
<jats:p>Background. In the practice of an orthopedic dentist, when treating patients with removable dentures, it is extremely important to pay attention to the surface topography and roughness of removable dentures, especially in the area adjacent to the prosthetic bed mucosa. Dental patients are often diagnosed with oral lichen planus, which accounts for 30% of all oral mucosal diseases. In such cases, it is necessary to carefully evaluate the quality of the removable dentures, since a poorly manufactured prosthesis can provoke an exacerbation of the underlying disease. Objective. To identify the optimal structural material for the manufacture of removable dentures in patients with oral lichen planus, the surface of which is characterized by the least potential for traumatization and microbial contamination, both immediately after final laboratory processing and during long-term wear. Materials and methods. The study included 30 samples of new, unused removable dentures taken immediately after final polishing from a dental laboratory, and 30 removable dentures retrieved from patients diagnosed with oral lichen planus at least 6 months after prosthetic treatment. All samples underwent scanning electron microscopy of the base surface adjacent to the mucosa. Results. According to the results of scanning electron microscopy, the surface of dentures with titan alloy framework is the least susceptible to microbial contamination during use. High-quality treatment of dental prostheses with abrasive tools reduces microbial contamination and traumatization of the oral mucosa. Conclusion. The findings emphasize the need to consider the choice of material for prosthetics in patients diagnosed with oral lichen planus, and also indicate the importance of high-quality surface treatment of removable dentures at the stages of their laboratory fabrication and during adjustments.</jats:p>