Prevalence of Traumatic Ulcers from Ill-Fitting Dentures Among Elderly Patients at Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo State

Ill-fitting complete and partial dentures are a significant cause of traumatic ulceration, chronic mucosal irritation, and underlying bone resorption in elderly edentulous patients. In many parts of Nigeria, denture fabrication is performed by poorly regulated dental technicians without adequate clinical supervision, increasing the risk of prosthetic-induced mucosal injury. This cross-sectional descriptive study examines the prevalence, anatomical distribution, and severity of traumatic ulcers attributable to ill-fitting dentures among elderly patients attending the dental clinic at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, Imo State, in the South East geopolitical zone. Patients aged 60 years and above wearing removable prostheses were recruited consecutively over six months. Clinical examination assessed ulcer size, location, duration, and features suggestive of malignant transformation. Prosthetic evaluation documented occlusal stability, retention, extension, and evidence of denture damage. Results indicate that 41.3% of denture-wearing elderly patients presented with at least one traumatic ulcer, with the buccal mucosa and lateral border of the tongue being the most affected sites. Duration of denture use beyond five years without professional review was the strongest predictor of ulceration. The study emphasizes the need for periodic denture review clinics and consumer education on proper denture maintenance among the elderly population in the South East zone. Keywords: traumatic ulcers, ill-fitting dentures, elderly, Owerri, mucosal injury.