Efficiency of cleaning dental structural polymer materials and their resistance to biofouling

Abstract

Aim. The formation of biofilms, involving microorganisms from the oral cavity, on the surface of various structural dental materials was investigated. Flexistron Plus, Dentalos Plus, and PEEK are used in dental orthopedic practice for prosthetics.
 Materials and methods. The difference in quantity depends on the structure and type of plastics, as well as on their mechanical cleaning. All the plastic samples were obtained using atomic force microscopy, which made it possible to detect differences in the microstructure and microrelief of all the types of plastics and to demonstrate bacterial growth on plastics before and after the mechanical cleaning of their surfaces with a toothbrush.
 Conclusion. The revealed facts of increased microbial contamination after the mechanical treatment of the surface of polymer materials suggest the need for additional lining with harder materials or the creation of new composites based on these polymers with high hygienic adequacy.