Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

Inflammatory papillary hyperplasia is commonly seen in which type of patients?

1. Patients with braces

2. Denture patients with poor hygiene

3. Patients undergoing chemotherapy

4. Patients with periodontal disease

The correct answer is: Denture patients with poor hygiene

Inflammatory papillary hyperplasia is most commonly associated with denture patients, particularly those who maintain poor oral hygiene. This condition arises from chronic irritation of the oral mucosa, which can occur when a denture is worn continuously without proper cleaning. The lack of dental hygiene promotes the overgrowth of the tissue in response to the irritation, leading to the characteristic lesions seen in inflammatory papillary hyperplasia. In contrast, while patients with braces may experience some mucosal changes, these are more related to localized irritation rather than the widespread hyperplasia typical of denture-related issues. Patients undergoing chemotherapy may suffer from mucositis or other oral complications, but they are not specifically predisposed to inflammatory papillary hyperplasia. Similarly, while those with periodontal disease may have various oral health challenges, inflammatory papillary hyperplasia is primarily linked to the presence of dentures and insufficient care. Hence, denture patients with poor hygiene are clearly the group most at risk for this condition.