An In Vitro Evaluation of Denture Cleansing Regimens against a Polymicrobial Denture Biofilm Model

Abstract

Denture stomatitis (DS) is an inflammatory disease resulting from a polymicrobial biofilm perturbation at the denture surface–palatal mucosa interface. Recommendations made by dental health care professionals often lack clarity for appropriate denture cleaning. This study investigated the efficacy of brushing with off-the-shelf denture cleanser (DC) tablets (Poligrip®) vs. two toothpastes (Colgate® and Crest®) in alleviating the viable microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) in an in vitro denture biofilm model. Biofilms were grown on poly(methyl)methacrylate (PMMA) discs, then treated daily for 7 days with mechanical disruption (brushing), plus Poligrip® DC, Colgate® or Crest® toothpastes. Weekly treatment with Poligrip® DC on day 7 only was compared to daily modalities. All treatment parameters were processed to determine viable colony forming units for bacteria and fungi using the Miles and Misra technique, and imaged by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Brushing with daily DC therapy was the most effective treatment in reducing the viable biofilm over 7 days of treatment. Brushing only was ineffective in controlling the viable bioburden, which was confirmed by CLSM imaging. This data indicates that regular cleansing of PMMA with DC was best for polymicrobial biofilms.

Evaluation of red-complex bacteria loads in complete denture patients: a pilot study

“…One of the possible approaches to prevent bacterial colonization is the use of antimicrobial materials. Brown et al [ 27 ] in their research concluded that regular use of denture cleaning tablets has the best effect in reducing polymicrobial biofilms. Thus, immersion of removable dentures in cleaning solutions may be useful and encouraged to complete denture cleaning.…”

Evaluation of Red-Complex Bacteria Loads in Complete Denture Patients

“…One of the possible approaches to prevent bacterial colonization is the use of antimicrobial materials. Brown et al 27 in their research concluded that regular use of denture cleaning tablets has the best effect in reducing polymicrobial bio lms. Thus, immersion of removable dentures in cleaning solutions may be useful and encouraged to complete denture cleaning.…”

The denture microbiome in health and disease: an exploration of a unique community

“…More complex studies on denture plaque models have been carried out, for example, using a denture plaque microcosm (Coulthwaite and Verran 2007, 2008; Brown et al . 2022), and biofilm models, used to assess the impact of putative antimicrobial/antibiofilm agents (Sherry et al . 2016; Brown et al .…”

“…2016; Brown et al . 2022). In line with Marsh’s ‘Ecological Plaque Hypothesis’ (Marsh 1994), it has been proposed that denture stomatitis arises from a shift in the plaque microbiology away from health due to external changes such as increased plaque acidogenicity and increased plaque quantity (Verran 1998)—and perhaps diversity (Marsh 1994).…”

“…More complex studies on denture plaque models have been carried out, for example, using a denture plaque microcosm Verran 2007, 2008;Brown et al 2022), and biofilm models, used to assess the impact of putative antimicrobial/antibiofilm agents (Sherry et al 2016;Brown et al 2022). In line with Marsh's 'Ecological Plaque Hypothesis' (Marsh 1994), it has been proposed that denture stomatitis arises from a shift in the plaque microbiology away from health due to external changes such as increased plaque acidogenicity and increased plaque quantity (Verran 1998)-and perhaps diversity (Marsh 1994).…”