Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) in mucosal epithelium under experimental denture bases in rats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the argyrophilic nucle olar organizer region (AgNOR) counts in mucosal epithelium induced by conti nuous or intermittent compressive pressure exerted through experimental den ture bases and to examine the relationships between the AgNOR count, histop athological changes and the intensity of the pressure under denture bases. Continuous or intermittent compressive pressure exerted through the denture bases was applied to the hard palate of the molar region in rats. A morpho metric analysis of AgNORs was performed in denture-supporting tissue 3 days and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 20 weeks after the denture insertion. From the resu lts of this study, it was found that non-pressure contact of the denture ba ses with palatal tissues did not change the AgNOR count. The AgNOR count wa s decreased by continuous or intermittent compressive pressure, and then re covered to almost the same level as, with the non-pressure contact at 20 we eks following a decrease of the pressure. The AgNOR counts in the epitheliu m under the denture bases were revealed to be related to the histopathologi cal changes in the denture-supporting tissues and the intensity of the pres sure under the denture bases.