To investigate the relationship between recurrent aphthous ulcer and oral mucosal keratinization, exfoliative cytology in buccal mucossa, lip mucosa, tongue mucosa were performed on 25 recurrent aphthous ulcer patients and 25 controls whose age ranged from 10 to 65. Keratinization cell ratio was then measured.
The results were as follows ;
1. Yellow cell ratio iu the control´ group was more than that in the patient group in buccal mucosa, lip mucosa, tongue mucosa. Red cell ratio in the control group was more than that in the patient group in lip mucosa Blue cell ratio in the patiertt group was more than that in control.. group in all regions (p<0.01)
2. In the comparison by sex, the patient group showed no significant difference in all site but, the control: group showed different results according to the site; males were more than females in yellow cell, but less than females in red cell. Females were more than males in yellow cell, but less than males in red cell.
3. In the comparison by age, patient group showed no significant difference in all site, but the control group showed siginificantly high yellow cell ratio in buccal and tongue mucosa over the age of 50.
In conclusion, there was close relationship between recurrent aphthous ulcer and decreased oral mucosal
keratinization. In other words, reduced oral mucosal keratinization can cause frequent recurrent aphthous ulcer. Therefore, methods to maintain proper oral mucosal keratinization must be recommended for prevention of recurrent
aphthous ulcer.
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