To preserve oral health and to maintain the prosthetic devices, it is important not only to improve the properties of commonly known hygiene products, but also to investigate new materials with antimicrobial action. Objectives This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of sodium hypochlorite (0.25% and 0.50%) and 10% Ricinus communis’ solutions against specific microorganisms.Material and Methods Sixty four maxillary complete denture wearers were instructed to brush their dentures three times a day and to soak them (20 min/day) in the solutions: SH1: 0.25% sodium hypochlorite; SH2: 0.5% sodium hypochlorite; RC: 10% R. communis oil; and C: 0.85% saline (control). The solutions were used for 7 days in a randomized sequence. Following each period of use, there was a 1-week washout period. Antimicrobial activity was determined by Colony Forming Units (CFU) counts of Streptococcus mutans, Candida spp., and gram-negative microorganisms. For collecting biofilm, the internal surface of maxillary dentures was brushed with saline solution, and biofilm suspension obtained. After dilutions (100 - 10-3), aliquots were seeded in Mitis salivarius, CHROMagar Candida®, and MacConkey agar for detecting S. mutans, Candida spp., or gram-negative microorganisms, respectively. After incubation, colonies were counted, and CFU/mL values were calculated. Then, transformation - log10 (CFU+1) - data were analyzed using the Friedman test (α=0.05). Results showed significant differences between the solutions (p<0.001).Results All three solutions showed antimicrobial activity against S. mutans. Against Candida spp., RC and SH1 solutions showed similar effect while SH2 showed superior activity. SH1 and SH2 solutions showed antimicrobial action against gram-negative microorganisms. The Candida species most frequently isolated was C. albicans, followed by C. tropicalis and C. glabrata.Conclusions The 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution was the most effective and might be used to control denture biofilm. C. albicans was the most frequently isolated Candida sp.

The development of opportunistic infections due to poor denture hygiene conditions justified the search for effective hygiene protocols for controlling denture biofilm. Objective This study evaluated Ricinus communis and sodium hypochlorite solutions in terms of biofilm removal ability, remission of candidiasis, antimicrobial activity, and participant satisfaction.Material and Methods It was conducted a controlled clinical trial, randomized, double-blind, and crossover. Sixty-four denture wearers with (n=24) and without candidiasis (n=40) were instructed to brush (3 times/day) and immerse their dentures (20 min/day) in different storage solutions (S1 / S2: 0.25% / 0.5% sodium hypochlorite; S3: 10% R. communis; S4: Saline).The trial period for each solution was seven days and a washout period of seven days was used before starting the use of another solution. The variables were analyzed at baseline and after each trial period. The biofilm of inner surfaces of maxillary dentures was disclosed, photographed, and total and dyed areas were measured (Image Tool software). The percentage of biofilm was calculated. Remission of candidiasis was assessed by visual scale and score were attributed. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by the DNA-Checkerboard hybridization method. Patient satisfaction was measured using a questionnaire.Results S1 (4.41±7.98%) and S2 (2.93±5.23%) were more effective then S3 (6.95±10.93%) in biofilm remotion(P<0.0001). All solutions were different from the control (11.07±11.99%). S3 was the most effective solution in remission of candidiasis (50%), followed by S1 (46%). Concerning antimicrobial action, S1/S2 were similar and resulted in the lowest microorganism mean count (P=0.04), followed by S3. No significant differences were found with patient’s satisfaction.Conclusions 10% R. communis and 0.25% sodium hypochlorite were effective in biofilm removal, causing remission of candidiasis and reducing the formation of microbial colonies in denture surfaces. All solutions were approved by patients.

This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of a Ricinus communis-based experimental dentifrice for denture hygiene against the following standard strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay was performed with R. communis in pure oil at 2.5%. Only E. coli was not inhibited by R. communis, but the MIC (0.0781%) was effective against the other microorganisms. From these results it was determined the R. communis concentrations for experimental dentifrices, 1, 2, 5 and 10%, which were evaluated by the test-well diffusion in agar. The commercial dentifrices Colgate, Trihydral and Corega Brite were tested for comparative purposes. The diameter of the zones of bacterial growth inhibition produced around the wells was measured (in mm) with a rule under reflected light. Data were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test (α=0.05). Neither the commercial nor the experimental dentifrices were effective against E. coli. The experimental dentifrices containing R. communis at 2, 5 and 10% presented action against S. mutans, S. aureaus and E. faecallis. The experimental dentifrices showed no antimicrobial activity against Candida spp. and E. coli in any of the tested concentrations. Trihydral was the most effective. Comparing the experimental dentifrices, the product with 10% R. communis produced the largest zones of bacterial growth inhibition and had similar antimicrobial activity to the commercial dentifrices, except against S. aureus.

We evaluated electromyograms of masticatory muscles after denture relining with soft and hard liners. In total, 44 patients with complete dentures were studied: 22 underwent chairside relining of mandibular dentures with a soft, silicone-based liner (Mucopren Soft); the other 22 underwent relining with a hard, acrylic resin-based liner (Kooliner). Electromyograms of the masseter and temporal muscles were obtained before (T0) and 90 days after (T90) relining. Participants performed a maximum voluntary contraction (static test), on which percentage-overlapping coefficient (%), mandibular displacement (%), and standardized electromyographic activity, i.e., impact, (µV ⁄ µVs %) were analyzed. Participants were also asked to chew a wafer, cereal bar, and peanuts (dynamic test) to determine symmetrical mastication index (SMI%), frequency (Hz), and impact. The data were analyzed using a generalized linear model (α= 0.05). On the static test, mandibular displacement was lower and impact was higher at T90, as compared with baseline. On the dynamic test, SMI and impact were higher after relining for all foods. Frequency at T90 was higher only during cereal and peanut mastication. There were no differences between groups except for greatest impact during wafer chewing in patients with hard liners. Relining with hard and soft materials increased electromyographic activity and improved masticatory function. There was little difference between groups.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the color stability and hardness of two denture liners obtained by direct and indirect techniques, after thermal cycling and immersion in beverages that can cause staining of teeth.Material and MethodsSeventy disc-shaped specimens (18 x 3 mm) processed by direct (DT) and indirect techniques (IT) were made from elite soft (n=35) and Kooliner (n=35) denture liners. For each material and technique, 10 specimens were subjected to thermal cycling (3,000 cycles) and 25 specimens were stored in water, coffee, tea, soda and red wine for 36 days. The values of color change, Shore A hardness (elite soft) and Knoop hardness (Kooliner) were obtained. The data were subjected to ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple-comparison test, and Kruskal-Wallis test (P<0.05).ResultsThe thermal cycling promoted a decrease on hardness of Kooliner regardless of the technique used (Initial: 9.09±1.61; Thermal cycling: 7.77±1.47) and promoted an increase in the hardness in the DT for elite Soft (Initial: 40.63±1.07; Thermal cycling: 43.53±1.03); hardness of Kooliner (DT: 8.76±0.95; IT: 7.70±1.62) and elite Soft (DT: 42.75±1.54; IT=39.30±2.31) from the DT suffered an increase after the immersion in the beverages. The thermal cycling promoted color change only for Kooliner in the IT. Immersion in the beverages did not promote color change for elite in both techniques. The control group of the DT of Kooliner showed a significant color change. Wine and coffee produced the greatest color change in the DT only for elite Soft when compared to the other beverages.ConclusionThe three variation factors promoted alteration on hardness and color of the tested denture lining materials.

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This study evaluated the Shore A hardness, colour and microstructural alterations of an experimental silicone for maxillofacial prostheses. As a control, the MDX 4-4210 silicone was used. Eighty specimens of each material were randomly divided into groups of pigmentation and ageing. For microstructural analysis by Thermogravimetry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry, three specimens of each group were used. Anova and Tukey test (p < 0.05) was used in statistical analysis. There was significant difference in hardness depending on the materials, pigmentation and ageing and interaction between all the factors evaluated (p = 0.00). The colour change was significant due to ageing (p = 0.00) and the interaction between the factors evaluated (p = 0.00). The microstructural analyses have shown that ageing methods and pigmentations did not cause structural alterations. The results suggest that the alterations in hardness and colour do not represent important structural changes.

Aim: To evaluate, in vitro, the effect of brushing with a Ricinus communis-based experimental toothpaste on color stability and surface roughness of artificial teeth. Methods: Ninety artificial teeth (maxillary central incisors) in different shades, light and dark (NatusDent Triple Pressing, Dentbras) were used. Initial color (Spectrophotometer Easyshade, VITA) and surface roughness (Rugosimeter Surfcorder SE 1700, Kosakalab) readouts were performed. After baseline measurements, samples were assigned to 10 groups (n=9) according to the artificial tooth shade and type of toothpaste used during the mechanical brushing test (Pepsodent, MAVTEC): Sorriso Dentes Brancos-SDB, Colgate Luminous White-CLW (Colgate-Palmolive), Close up White Now-CWN (Unilever), Trihydral-THL (Perland Pharmacos) and Ricinus communis-RCE (Experimental). After 29,200 cycles of brushing, corresponding to 2 years of brushing by a healthy individual, new color and roughness readouts of the specimens were performed. Data (before and after the tests) were statistically analyzed (2-way repeated measures ANOVA, Tukey, p<0.05). Results: RCE toothpaste produced the greatest color stability for dark tooth shade and the second best color stability for light tooth shade. For surface roughness alteration, there was no difference (p>0.05) for any tested toothpaste regardless of tooth shade. Conclusions: The experimental Ricinus communis toothpaste did not cause color and surface roughness alteration in the artificial teeth, and it may be considered a suitable option for denture cleaning.