title: Fungiform papillae density in patients with burning mouth syndrome and xerostomia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze fungiform papillae density in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and xerostomia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional clinical study, sixty patients were included (20 with BMS, 20 with xerostomia and 20 healthy controls). The fungiform papillae density was analyzed over a small region on the anterior tip of the tongue with the aid of a digital camera. The number of papillae was measured in an area of 19 mm².
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients with BMS showed significantly higher fungiform papillae density than the patients with xerostomia; though no statistically significant differences were recorded versus the control group. In the BMS group, 65% of all cases presented a density of 71-90 papillae (within an area of 19 mm²), while 10% had more than 90 papillae. On the contrary, 70% of the patients with xerostomia had fewer than 70 papillae in the studied area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The digital camera offers a rapid, noninvasive and relatively simple way to study fungiform papillae density. The patients with BMS have higher fungiform papillae density than the patients with xerostomia.
authors.affiliation: University of Murcia, Spain. fcamacho@um.es
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Camacho-Alonso
authors.forename: Pía
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: López-Jornet
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Molino-Pagán
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002054:Burning Mouth Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000473:pathology*