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Oral squamous papilloma with koilocytic changes may occur in cases of chronic denture-associated irritationChronic denture irritation can lead to rare oral growths

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Key Takeaway
Note that oral squamous papilloma with koilocytic change can occur in patients with chronic denture-associated irritation.

This publication is a case report and literature review focusing on a 49-year-old non-smoking male presenting with an oral squamous papilloma. The lesion was located at an atypical mandibular alveolar site. Histopathological analysis revealed hyperplastic stratified squamous epithelium, fingerlike papillary projections, parakeratosis, basilar hyperplasia, regular mitotic activity, and koilocytes in the spinous layer. No dysplasia or invasion was identified.

The authors synthesize findings to highlight that chronic local irritation from dental appliances can coexist with HPV-suggestive cytopathic changes. While the case showed uneventful healing at a one-month follow-up after excision and denture adjustment, the report notes that a definitive causal link between the mechanical trauma and the viral etiology was not established.

A primary limitation of this evidence is the small sample size inherent to a single case report. These findings are not generalizable to the broader population. The case serves primarily to illustrate an atypical presentation where local irritation and HPV-related changes occur simultaneously.

Imagine living with a persistent irritation in your mouth caused by a worn-down denture. For one 49-year-old man, this chronic irritation led to the development of a rare growth called an oral squamous papilloma. While these growths are uncommon, they can appear in unusual spots like the jawbone area.

Doctors performed a biopsy and removed the tissue. They found specific cells that suggested the presence of HPV, a common virus. The study highlights how long-term physical irritation from dental appliances can coexist with viral effects. It is important to note that while both factors were present, doctors could not prove which one caused the growth.

After the surgery and some adjustments to his dentures, the area healed well within a month. Because this was a single case study, these results cannot be applied to everyone, but it serves as a reminder for patients with dental appliances to keep up with regular checkups.

What this means for you:
Long-term irritation from dentures can lead to rare oral growths that show signs of viral infection.

Common questions

What caused the growth in this patient's mouth?

The patient had a growth called an oral squamous papilloma. Doctors found evidence that it was likely caused by a combination of chronic irritation from his dentures and signs of an HPV infection. Because both factors were present at once, they could not say for certain which one was the primary cause.

Is this condition common in people with dentures?

This specific case is considered rare because it appeared in an unusual location on the jaw. While the study shows that denture irritation can lead to such growths, it only involved one patient, so it does not mean this will happen to everyone who wears a dental appliance.

How was the condition treated and did it heal?

The doctors performed an excisional biopsy to remove the tissue. They also adjusted his dentures and improved his oral hygiene. The area healed well at a one-month follow-up, and the patient showed no complications during the initial healing period.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review
EvidenceLevel 1
PublishedJun 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
Oral squamous papilloma (OSP) is a benign epithelial proliferation commonly linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) and usually affects the palate, tongue and lips. Anterior mandibular alveolar mucosa involvement is uncommon, and overlap between koilocytic HPV-suggestive change and chronic denture-related trauma is rarely documented. A review of the literature indicates limited documentation of such overlapping clinicopathological features at this anatomical site. A 49-year-old non-smoking male with absence of alcohol consumption history, presented with a 12-month painless, slowly enlarging papillary mass on the anterior mandibular alveolar mucosa beneath a poorly maintained removable denture. Intra-oral examination showed firm papillary folds of near-normal color and an adjacent traumatic ulcer at the denture-contact point. Excisional biopsy showed hyperplastic stratified squamous epithelium forming fingerlike papillary projections over narrow fibrovascular cores, with parakeratosis, basilar hyperplasia, regular mitotic activity, koilocytes in the spinous layer, and chronic lymphocytic stromal inflammation, with absence of dysplasia or invasion was confirmed. The diagnosis was squamous papilloma with koilocytic change suggestive of HPV cytopathic effect and chronic denture-associated inflammation. These findings supported a diagnosis of squamous papilloma with HPV-suggestive cytopathic effect in the setting of chronic denture-associated irritation. The lesion was completely excised, followed by denture adjustment and reinforcement of oral hygiene measures. Healing was uneventful at one-month review; longer-term follow-up is ongoing. This case highlights a rare oral squamous papilloma at an atypical mandibular alveolar site, demonstrating overlapping reactive denture-induced and HPV-associated epithelial changes. Histopathological evaluation, particularly koilocyte identification, is essential for diagnosis. Supported by the literature, this case underscores that chronic denture irritation does not preclude an HPV-related etiology, and clinicians should maintain a broad differential for papillary lesions at prosthesis-bearing sites.
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