Effects of different denture cleaning methods to remove Candida albicans from acrylic resin denture based material

Background/purposeDifferent denture cleaning methods have different effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of six different denture cleaning methods to remove Candida albicans that had accumulated on denture-based materials.Materials and methodsWe generated 140 identical acrylic resin specimens and soaked them in a suspension of C albicans. The reduction in microorganism counts after application of the different denture cleaning methods was calculated. Six cleaning methods were evaluated: a mechanical method of brushing with a toothbrush, a chemical method of soaking in a commercial cleansing tablet solution, a combined method of brushing and soaking in a commercial cleansing tablet solution, a chemical method of soaking in a commercial mouthwash solution, irradiation in an ultraviolet (UV)-light e-box, and soaking in distilled water. The effectiveness of the denture-cleaning methods in reducing C albicans was evaluated following a single cleaning event.ResultsThe denture cleaning techniques had considerably different efficacies in reducing C albicans. There was no significant difference among the effectiveness levels of cleaning by brushing, soaking in a commercial cleansing tablet solution, or a combination of both in removing C albicans. Similarly, the effectiveness levels of soaking in a commercial mouthwash solution or irradiation in a UV-light e-box were statistically similar.ConclusionCompared to other methods, brushing, soaking in a commercial cleansing tablet solution, or a combination of both methods can significantly reduce the adherence of C albicans to denture samples. Compared to soaking in distilled water, soaking in a commercial mouthwash solution or irradiation with UV-light had more significant cleaning effects, but these methods were not as effective as the aforementioned three methods.