Under a maxillary partial denture the gingiva is erythematous (tooth #5 separately shows coronal destruction, suppuration, sinus tract). The erythematous denture-bearing tissue is most likely:

Correct answer: B. Denture stomatitis

• A. Plaque-induced gingivitis is not specifically defined by the denture-bearing distribution.
• B. Correct. Diffuse erythema confined to the denture-bearing mucosa is denture stomatitis, usually Candida-associated.
• C. Periodontitis involves attachment/bone loss, not a denture-outline erythema.
• D. Aphthous ulcers are discrete painful ulcers, not diffuse denture-area redness.