Molecular and Organizational Changes in the Human Oral Mucosa During Aging

Edentulism is prevalent in elderly people and the current care is the use of removable denture based on edentulous jaw regions. Nevertheless, the close and extended contact of denture base with mucosa and the transmission of chewing movement trough the complete denture leads to a weakening of supporting tissues in the medium to long term. This embrittlement may be accompanied by pain, compromising the proper integration of complete denture. In geriatrics, the peculiar weakness of bearing surfaces, connected to physio-pathological conditions as well as the decrease of adaptability and resistance further complicate the biomechanical integration of this kind of prosthesis. It has been shown that chronical ageing induces a decrease of resiliency and hydration of oral mucosa, associated with a decrease of epithelium thickness; nevertheless few studies have been performed at the molecular and supramolecular level to characterize this mucosa. Techniques of material characterization (Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermostimulated currents (TSC), have shown their ability to follow hydric, molecular and structural modification of dermis upon ageing. In accordance with this study, the distribution of thermal, vibrational and dielectric markers of oral mucosa will be extracted in two age groups. The principal hypothesis of the research is the possibility to identify specific markers and to follow molecular and organizational changes induced by ageing (intrinsic ageing or extrinsic ageing due to prostheses wearing). The characterization of saliva by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) shows promise in quantifying the biochemical components of this biofluid. Some vibrational saliva biomarkers have high diagnostic potential (physiological stress, diabetes, salivary lithiasis, carcinomas, periodontitis).This study is a first step to redefine the specification for the most appropriate biomaterial in removable prostheses.