The aim of this study was to quantify biofilm on the internal surface of upper complete dentures following six possible cleansing methods. Thirty-six edentulous subjects were submitted to a time-series trial and dentures were cleansed according to six methods: (i) rinsing with water; (ii) soaking in an alkaline peroxide solution (Bonyplus); (iii) brushing with dentifrice (Dentu-Creme) and soft Johnson and Johnson's toothbrush; (iv) combination between soaking and brushing according to methods 2 and 3; (v) brushing with dentifrice (Dentu-Creme) and soft Oral B toothbrush; (vi) combination between soaking and brushing according to methods 2 and 5. Each method was randomly used throughout 21 days. Denture biofilm was disclosed by 1% neutral red solution and quantified by means of digital photos taken from the internal surface. The six methods presented significant differences in percentage of biofilm coverage (repeated measures anova, P < 0.0001). Method 1 showed the highest values, 2 was intermediate and other results were the lowest. The most efficacious approach was 6. Biofilm tended to accumulate predominantly over specific zones of the denture base, but this pattern did not change regardless of the method employed. It can be concluded that brushing alone was more effective than the chemical method employed. The best results were obtained by a combination of methods.

Although the color changes after the immersion in denture cleansers were clinically insignificant, the Corega Tabs group showed higher color differences. The Bony Plus group showed significantly increased surface roughness. Both effervescent tablets Corega Tabs and Bony Plus significantly diminished the flexural strength of the acrylic resin.

This study evaluated color stability, surface roughness and flexural strength of acrylic resin specimens after immersion in alkaline peroxide and alkaline hypochlorite, simulating a period of one and a half year of use of overnight immersion. Sixty disc-shaped (16x4 mm) and 80 rectangular specimens (65x10x3.3 mm) were prepared from heat-polymerized acrylic resin (Lucitone 550) and distributed into 4 groups (n=20): C1: without immersion, C2: 8 h immersion in distilled water; AP: 8 h immersion in alkaline peroxide effervescent tablet; SH: 8 h immersion in 0.5% NaOCl solution. Properties were evaluated at baseline and after the immersion. Color data were also calculated according the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). Results were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test (α=0.05). AP (2.34 ± 0.41) caused color alteration significantly higher than C2 (0.39 ± 0.30) and SH (1.73 ± 0.52). The mean ΔΕ values were classified as indicial for C2 (0.36 ± 0.29) and noticeable for AP (2.12 ± 0.39) and SH (1.59 ± 0.48). SH (0.0195 ± 0.0150) caused significantly higher ΔRa (p=0.000) than the C2 (0.0005 ± 0.0115) and PA (0.0005 ± 0.0157) groups. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.063) among the solutions for flexural strength (C1: 105. 43 ± 14.93, C2: 100.30 ± 12.43, PA: 97.61 ± 11.09, SH: 95.23 ± 10.18). In conclusion, overnight immersion in denture cleansing solutions simulating a year and a half of use did not alter the flexural strength of acrylic resin but caused noticeable color alterations, higher for alkaline peroxide. The 0.5% NaOCl solution caused increase in surface roughness.

In this study, a questionnaire was applied to patients from Ribeirão Preto Dental School, University of São Paulo, Brazil, to evaluate the hygiene methods and habits concerning the use of complete dentures, the age of dentures, and whether patients have been instructed on how to clean their dentures. The mean age of patients was 63.35 years, and most of them were females (82.08%). The results showed that 62.26% of the respondents had been using the same maxillary complete denture for more than 5 years, and 49.06% used the same mandible complete denture for more than 5 years. Of the patients interviewed, 58.49% slept with the dentures. Mechanical brushing was the most used cleaning method by the patients (100%), using water, dentifrice and toothbrush (84.91%). Most patients (51.89%) reported never having been instructed by their dentists as to how to clean their dentures. Based on the limitations of this study, it was concluded that the patients interviewed had limited knowledge about prosthetic hygiene and oral care. The method more used by patients was the mechanical method of brushing, most patients used the same complete dentures for more than 5 years and slept with the dentures.

It was concluded that immersion in 1% sodium hypochlorite solutions for 8 h does influence the colour stability and flexural strength of microwave-polymerised acrylic resin, during the simulated period of 180 days.

Adequate denture hygiene can prevent and treat infection in edentulous patients. They are usually elderly and have difficulty for brushing their teeth.ObjectiveThis study evaluated the efficacy of complete denture biofilm removal using chemical (alkaline peroxide-effervescent tablets), mechanical (ultrasonic) and combined (association of the effervescent and ultrasonic) methods. Material and MethodsEighty complete denture wearers participated in the experiment for 21 days. They were distributed into 4 groups (n=20): (1) Brushing with water (Control); (2) Effervescent tablets (Corega Tabs); (3) Ultrasonic device (Ultrasonic Cleaner, model 2840 D); (4) Association of effervescent tablets and ultrasonic device. All groups brushed their dentures with a specific brush (Bitufo) and water, 3 times a day, before applying their treatments. Denture biofilm was collected at baseline and after 21 days. To quantify the biofilm, the internal surfaces of the maxillary complete dentures were stained and photographed at 45º. The photographs were processed and the areas (total internal surface stained with biofilm) quantified (Image Tool 2.02). The percentage of the biofilm was calculated by the ratio between the biofilm area multiplied by 100 and the total area of the internal surface of the maxillary complete denture. ResultsThe Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparison among groups followed by the Dunn multiple-comparison test. All tests were performed respecting a significance level of 0.05. Significant difference was found among the treatments (KW=21.18; P<0.001), the mean ranks for the treatments and results for Dunn multiple comparison test were: Control (60.9); Chemical (37.2); Mechanical (35.2) and Combined (29.1). ConclusionThe experimental methods were equally effective regarding the ability to remove biofilm and were superior to the control method (brushing with water). Immersion in alkaline peroxide and ultrasonic vibration can be used as auxiliary agents for cleaning complete dentures.

This study evaluated the color stability, surface roughness and flexural strength of a microwave-polymerized acrylic resin after immersion in sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), simulating 20 min of disinfection daily during 180 days. Forty disk-shaped (15 x 4 mm) and 40 rectangular (65 x 10 x 3 mm) specimens were prepared with a microwave-polymerized acrylic resin (Onda-Cryl). Specimens were immersed in either 0.5% NaOCl, 1% NaOCl, Clorox/Calgon and distilled water (control). Color measurements were determined by a portable colorimeter. Three parallel lines, separated by 1.0 mm, were registered on each specimen before and after immersion procedures to analyze the surface roughness. The flexural strength was measured using a 3-point bending test in a universal testing machine with a 50 kgf load cell and a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha=0.05). There was no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) among the solutions for color, surface roughness and flexural strength. It may be concluded that immersion in NaOCl solutions simulating short-term daily use during 180 days did not influence the color stability, surface roughness and flexural strength of a microwave-polymerized acrylic resin.

This study evaluated the efficacy of cleanser solutions on denture biofilm removal by a crossover randomized clinical trial. Thirty two edentulous patients were instructed to brush their dentures (specific brush and liquid soap) three times a day (after breakfast, lunch and dinner) and to soak them (≥ 8 h) in: (C) control -water; (AP): alkaline peroxide; or (SH) 0.5% sodium hypochlorite. Each solution was used for 21 days (three cycles of 7 days). At the end of each cycle, the inner surfaces of maxillary dentures were disclosed (1% neutral red) and photographed (HX1 - Sony). Areas (total and stained biofilm) were measured (Image Tool software) and the percentage of biofilm calculated as the ratio between the area of the biofilm multiplied by 100 and total surface area of the internal base of the denture. Data were compared by means of generalized estimating equation (α=5%) and multiple comparisons (Bonferroni; α=1.67%). Immersion in SH reduced biofilm (%) (8.3 ± 13.3B) compared to C (18.2 ± 14.9A) and AP (18.2 ± 16.6A). The 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution was the most efficacious for biofilm removal. Alkaline peroxides may not lead to further biofilm removal in patients with adequate denture maintenance habits.