In vitro study of the antimicrobal action of various cleansing agents as compared with mechanical cleansing of heat cured acrylic resins.

A.Sofou*, A.Pissiotis (Dept. of Remov. Prosthodontics, Aristotle University School of Dentistry, Dept.of Microbiology AHEPANS General Hospital of Thessaloniki).


The purpose of this study was to compare the antimicrobal action of the most common every day cleaning habit, brushing of the denture, with chemical and ultrasonic cleaning agents.

Samples of heat cured resin (1cmX1,5cmX2mm) were prepared and were submerged into 5 ml TBS broth which was inoculated with a smear of dental plaque of a tissue surface of a complete denture in use, and were incubated for 24 hours at 37°C. After 24 hours groups of samples were submerged for 30 and 60 minutes into the cleansing solutions. Another group of samples was submerged in a home care ultrasonic apparatus for 30 min using general purpose cleansing solution.

A third group was brushed manually with toothpaste and previously boiled water for 5 minutes. Each sample was then rinsed with T8L broth and a smear of that was inoculated into solid culture materials (A., Ai, MgAgar, Sabourand and Chocolate agar). After 24 hours incubation the cultures were studied for the number of colonies acquired. Our study revealed significant differences between the different methods of cleaning as well as differences between the various antiseptic solutions. Our results will be presented and discussed.