Relación entre la dimensión vertical protésica y la presencia de queilitis angular en pacientes parcialmente edéntulos.

Abstract

Introduction: Angular cheilitis is an inflammatory condition characterized by painful fissures at the corners of the mouth, associated with tooth loss, poorly fitting dentures, and poor oral hygiene, leading to a loss of vertical dimension and negatively impacting the patient's quality of life, aesthetics, and function. Objective: To determine the relationship between prosthetic vertical dimension and the presence of angular cheilitis in partially edentulous patients, with and without dentures. Materials and methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study conducted on a sample of 60 partially edentulous patients, 30 with dentures and 30 without. Prosthetic vertical dimension was assessed using the Willis compass, with subnasal and chin landmarks, and measurements taken at rest (DVR) and in occlusion (DVO). Results: According to the parameters studied, the vertical dimension was decreased (< 2 mm) in a significant majority of patients (70%), while the remainder were normal (2-3 mm). The average edentulous period was 8.7 years, with a standard deviation of 4.3 years. Cheilitis was present in 66.7% of the patients, most of whom had bilateral cheilitis of mild to moderate severity. Conclusions: The decrease in the prosthetic vertical dimension was significantly associated with the presence of angular cheilitis, being the main predisposing factor. The condition and duration of prosthesis use influenced the appearance of the lesion, while hygiene, sex, and age did not show a significant association.