An infection control protocol: effectiveness of immersion solutions to reduce the microbial growth on dental prostheses

Abstract

This investigation evaluated the effectiveness of an infection control protocol for cleansing and disinfecting removable dental prostheses. Sixty-four dentures were rubbed with sterile cotton swab immediately after they had been taken from patients' mouths. Samples were individually placed in the culture medium and immediately incubated at 37 +/- 2 degrees C. The dentures were scrubbed for 1 min with 4% chlorhexidine, rinsed for 1 min in sterile water and placed for 10 min in one of the following immersion solutions: 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, 1% sodium hypochlorite, Biocide (iodophors) and Amosan (alkaline peroxide). After the disinfection procedures, the dentures were immersed in sterile water for 3 min, reswabbed and the samples were incubated. All samples obtained in the initial culture were contaminated with micro-organisms. All the lower dentures immersed in Biocide showed positive growth, and the upper dentures were positive for growth in six of eight dentures. The 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, 1% sodium hypochlorite and Amosan solutions have been proved effective to reduce the growth of the micro-organisms in the 10 min immersion period. The protocol evaluated in this study seems to be a viable method to prevent cross-contamination between dental personnel and patients.

Effect of sodium bicarbonate on Candida albicans adherence to thermally activated acrylic resin

“…18,19,23,24 In fact, the results presented in the present study corroborated the findings in the literature, since, among the disinfecting solutions, 0.12% digluconate chlorhexidine presented the best results, reducing in 86% the number of microorganisms adhered to the surface of the specimens.…”

“…4,[13][14][15] Thus, many studies have been performed with the objective of evaluating the efficiency of different disinfecting solutions in the control of Candida genus yeasts, searching for a disinfecting solution that would present excellent antimicrobial activity without harming the patient's health or causing alterations in the physical-structural characteristics of dentures. [16][17][18][19][20] Within this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sodium bicarbonate in the adherence of Candida albicans to thermally activated acrylic resin, comparing it to other disinfecting solutions already mentioned and tested in the literature.…”

Effect of affordable disinfectant solutions on Candida albicans adhered to acrylic resin for dental prosthesis

“…The hydrogen peroxide acts in chemical and mechanical way because during its degradation it promotes oxidation and oxygen release damaging the microbial cells and interfering with cell division 17 . Montagner et al showed that 10 v hydrogen peroxide solution was efficient against Candida albicans when used during 30 minutes 27 .…”

“…The safety of the use of solutions as chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide is reported in the literature [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] . They presented biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity when used in low concentrations being safe for denture chemical disinfection.…”

Effect of repeated cycles of chemical disinfection in microhardness of acrylic resins of complete denture base

“…Clinical characteristics such as rugosity, hardness, dimensional stability of color and bending properties can be changed after immersion in those solutions 1,11,13 .…”