Assessment of plaque prevention on dentures using an experimental cleanser.
BACKGROUND
Adequate plaque control is essential for the maintenance of a healthy oral mucosa. Denture cleansers are a popular method used by denture wearers for cleaning. The clinical effectiveness of a new cleanser in tablet form has not been tested in vivo. Methods used for the in vivo assessment of denture cleanser effectiveness are often not standardized.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of this in vivo study were to develop a new method for assessing plaque levels on dentures by using digital imaging and to use this methodology, together with a validated visual scoring method, to evaluate plaque buildup on dentures.


METHODS
Thirty-five subjects were randomized to 1 of 2 treatment groups: (1) dentures soaked in a new cleanser, or (2) dentures soaked in water. The treatment period lasted 14 days. Plaque was assessed at baseline and on days 2 and 14 by using digital image analysis and a visual scoring technique. Results were analyzed with ANOVA at the 95% confidence interval.


RESULTS
The new cleanser showed a statistically significant reduction in mean visual plaque of 51% at day 2 (P = 0.0002) and 42% (P = 0.0014) at day 14 compared with water. Similar results were seen with digital imaging.


CONCLUSIONS
The new denture cleanser proved to be effective at preventing plaque accumulation on dentures. The analysis of digital images gave similar results as the visual scoring method.
Sheen
S R
SR
Dental School, University of Bristol, Bristol, U.K. Sarah.Sheen@bristol.ac.uk
Harrison
A
A
D000269:Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003820:Denture Cleansers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003824:Denture, Complete; D006801:Humans; D011108:Polymers; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013607:Tablets; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water
D000269:Adhesives; D003764:Dental Materials; D003820:Denture Cleansers; D011108:Polymers; D013607:Tablets; D014867:Water; C073207:maleic acid, methyl vinyl ether polymer, calcium sodium salt