Pathology · single question
An elderly denture wearer has a diffuse erythematous lesion on the palate exactly conforming to the denture-bearing area. The most likely cause is:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Candida (denture stomatitis)
- A. Correct. Denture stomatitis (chronic atrophic candidiasis) presents as erythema confined to the denture-bearing mucosa, often with poor denture hygiene.
- B. True acrylic allergy is rare and would typically extend beyond the bearing area.
- C. SCC is a focal ulcer/mass, not diffuse mucosal erythema under a denture.
- D. Nicotinic stomatitis is a white palatal change with red-dotted minor salivary ducts in pipe/cigar smokers.