Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults.
BACKGROUND
Removing denture plaque may be essential for maintaining the oral health of edentulous people. Brushing and soaking in chemical products are two of the most commonly used methods of cleaning dentures.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different methods for cleansing removable dentures.


METHODS
We searched the following databases: the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register (to May 2009); CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2009, Issue 2); MEDLINE (1965 to May 2009); EMBASE (1980 to May 2009); LILACS (1980 to May 2009); and CINAHL (1997 to May 2009). There were no language restrictions.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing any mechanical method (e.g. brushing or ultrasound) or chemical (e.g. enzymes, sodium hypochlorite, oral rinses or peroxide solutions) in adults over the age of 18 wearing removable partial dentures or complete dentures.The primary outcomes considered were the health of denture bearing areas (soft tissues, periodontal tissues and teeth) and participants' satisfaction and preference. Secondary outcomes included denture plaque coverage area, indicators of halitosis and microbial counts on abutment teeth, soft tissues or denture base or saliva.


METHODS
Two independent review authors screened and extracted information from, and independently assessed the risk of bias in the included trials.


RESULTS
Although six RCTs were included in this review, the wide range of different interventions and outcome variables did not permit pooling of data in a meta-analysis. Isolated reports indicated that chemicals and brushing appear to be more effective than placebo in the reduction of plaque coverage and microbial counts of anaerobes and aerobes on complete denture bases.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a lack of evidence about the comparative effectiveness of the different denture cleaning methods considered in this review. Few well designed RCTs were found. Future research should focus on comparisons between mechanical and chemical methods; the assessment of the association of methods, primary variables and costs should also receive future attention.
de Souza
Raphael Freitas
RF
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Ribeirão Preto Dental School, University of São Paulo, Av. Do Café, s/n, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo (SP), Brazil, 14040-050.
de Freitas Oliveira Paranhos
Helena
H
Lovato da Silva
Claudia H
CH
Abu-Naba'a
Layla
L
Fedorowicz
Zbys
Z
Gurgan
Cem A
CA
D000328:Adult; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy; D003820:Denture Cleansers; D003778:Dentures; D006801:Humans; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods*; D014099:Toothbrushing; D014465:Ultrasonics
D003820:Denture Cleansers