Investigation of the Efficiency of Alkaline-Based Disinfection in Dental Prosthesis

Abstract

Objective: Denture cleaning is important for oral hygiene in patients using dentures. Today, there are various commercial products used for denture cleaning. The usage methods and durations of these products are different. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial effectiveness of alkaline peroxide group disinfectant solution on dentures. In the study, dentures of 20 patients were kept in alkaline-based disinfectant for 3 and 10 minutes. Samples taken from different areas of the denture just before the denture was placed in the disinfectant and at the 3rd and 10th minutes after placement were evaluated microbiologically. The results obtained were evaluated according to the denture material, waiting time and the region where the sample was taken. A significant decrease in bacterial density was observed in dentures kept in alkaline disinfectant solution for 3 and 10 minutes depending on time. It was observed that the disinfectant effectiveness varied according to the denture material and a significant decrease in bacterial density and diversity was observed in polymethylmethacrylate dentures. In our study, it was observed that the 3-minute period preferred for chemical disinfection of dental prostheses in tablet immersion was not sufficient for disinfection, and that the disinfectant effectiveness would increase if this period was increased. It was also observed that the structure of the material used in the prosthesis should be taken into consideration when determining the disinfection method.

Keywords

• Alkaline-based disinfectant
• Dental prosthesis
• Polymethylmethacrylate

References

1. Rony MKK, Parvin MR, Wahiduzzaman M, Akter K, Ullah M. Challenges and advancements in the health‐related quality of life of older people. Advances in Public Health. 2024;(1):8839631. doi:10.1155/2024/8839631
2. Nakipoğlu Y, Gurler B. An investigation on antibacterial efficacy of various disinfectants and antiseptics. ANKEM Derg. 2004;18:220-3.
3. Çam F, Kumru S. Patient perception in oral and dental health and evaluation of public oral and dental health services with patient perspective. Sağlık ve Toplum. 2020;30(2):123-139.
4. Linuma T, Arai Y, Abe Y, et al. Denture wearing during sleep doubles the risk of pneumonia in the very elderly. J Dent Res. 2015;94(3):28S-36S. doi:10.1177/0022034514552493
5. Khadka S, Khan S, King A, Goldberg LR, Crocombe L, Bettiol S. Poor oral hygiene, oral microorganisms and aspiration pneumonia risk in older people in residential aged care: A systematic review. Age Ageing. 2021;50(1):81-87. doi:10.1093/ageing/afaa102
6. Atalay S, Çakmak G, Fonseca M, Schimmel M, Yilmaz B. Effect of different disinfection protocols on the surface properties of CAD-CAM denture base materials. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 2023;130(5):787-795. doi:10.1016/j.prosdent.2021.12.007
7. Porto VC, Balsalobre R, Pegoraro LF, Lins do Valle A. Surface roughness analysis of ceramic systems after disinfection and sterilization procedures. Braz J Oral Sci. 2006;5:963-966.
8. Apratim A, Shah SS, Sinha M, Agraval M, Chhaparia N, Abubakkar A. Denture hygiene habits among elderly patients wearing complete dentures. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2013;14:1161–1164. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-1468

9. Fernandes F, Pereira CT, Jose Da Silva W, Filho A, Straioto F, Del Bel Cury AA. Efficacy of denture cleansers on Candida spp. biofilm formed on polyamide and polymethyl methacrylate resins. J Prosthet Dent. 2011;105:51–8. doi:10.1016/S0022-3913(10)60192-8
10. Bölükbaşı ZÖ, Özkanca C, Tan ASB. Antibiofilm activities of denture cleaning tablets against Streptococcus anginosus- Cytotoxic effects on human gingival fibroblast cells. Istanbul J Pharm. 2024;54(1):89–95. doi:10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2024.1431886
11. American Dental Association (ADA). American Dental Assocination®,2016; Chicago, DC 20003,1859. https://www.ada.org
12. Campanha NH, Pavarina AC, Jorge JH, Vergani CE, Machado AL, Giampalaolo ET. The effect of long term disinfection procedures on hardness properties of resin denture teeth. Gerodont. 2012;29:571-6. doi:10.1111/j.1741-2358.2011.00520.x
13. Pires CW, Fraga S, Beck AC, Braun KO, Peres PE. Chemical methods for cleaning conventional dentures: What is the best antimicrobial option? An In Vitro Study. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2017;15(1):73-77. doi:10.3290/j.ohpd.a37716
14. Dathan PC, Nair C, Gurumurthy V, Rao B. Denture hygiene in the context of the ıncreasing elderly population-a review. Acta Scientific Dental Sciences. 2024;818-25. doi:10.31080/ASDS.2024.08.1806
15. Paranhos HF, Silva-Lovato CH, Souza RF, Cruz PC, Freitas KM, Peracini A. Effects of mechanical and chemical methods on denture biofilm accumulation. J Oral Rehabil. 2007;34(8):606-12. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2842.2007.01753.x
16. Glass RT, Bullard JW, Conrad RS, Blewett EL. Evaluation of the sanitization effectiveness of a denture-cleaning product on dentures contaminated with known microbial flora. An in vitro Study. Quintescence Int. 2004;35.194-9.
17. Dikbas I, Koksal T, Calikkocaoglu S. Investigation of the cleanliness of dentures in a university hospital. Int J Prosthodont. 2006;19(3):294-8.
18. Felipucci DN, Davi LR, Paranhos HF, Bezzon OL, Silva RF, Pagnano VO. Effect of different cleansers on the surface of removable partial denture. Braz Dent. 2011;22(5):392-7. doi:10.1590/s0103-64402011000500008
19. Alkaltham NS, Aldhafiri RA, Al-Thobity AM, et al. Effect of denture disinfectants on the mechanical performance of 3D-printed denture base materials. Polymers. 2023;15(5):1175. doi:10.3390/polym15051175
20. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Guideline for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities, 2008. Updated May 2025. Accessible version: https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-and-sterilization/index.html
21. Akşit KS, Ünalan F, Gürler B, Beka H, Dikbaş İ. Evaluation of various methods used in the disinfection of acrylic denture base materials and Molloplast-B. ANKEM Derg. 1994;9: 79-84.
22. Akşit K, Nakipoğlu Y, Mandalı G, Günel G, Gürler B. Investigation of bacteriological activities of denture cleaning products. Ata Diş Hek Fak Derg. 2015; 25(1);47-53. doi:10.17567/dfd.46046
23. Uludamar A, Ozkan YK, Kadir T, Ceyhan I. In vivo efficacy of alkaline peroxide tablets and mouthwashes on Candida albicans in patients with denture stomatitis. J Appl Oral Sci. 2010;18(3):291-6. doi:10.1590/s1678-77572010000300017
24. Hayran Y. Determination of the effective time of denture cleanser tablets on the removal of Candida albicans on denture base resins. Cumhuriyet Dent J. 2019;22(3):325-335. doi:10.7126/cumudj.566223
25. Rossato MB, Unfer B, May LG, Braun KO. Analysis of the effectiveness of different hygiene procedures used in dental prostheses. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2011;9(3):221-7.