title: Evaluation of efficacy of microwave irradiation in disinfecting dental gypsum casts: an ex vivo study.
abstract: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of microwave irradiation in disinfecting gypsum casts and also to compare its efficacy with validated method of chemical disinfection. The present study is an ex vivo study conducted on a sample of five irreversible hydrocolloid impressions in vitro and on ten patients gypsum casts in vivo following standard impression techniques to check the efficacy of microwave oven irradiation and compare its efficacy with standard chemical method of disinfection. Results were analysed using Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Untreated gypsum casts showed cfu/ml counts with a median log value of 6, while microwave-irradiated ones had median cfu/ml counts of 0. Casts poured from chemically disinfected impressions demonstrated cfu/ml counts with a median log value of 5. Microwave irradiation was found to be effective in disinfecting gypsum casts when compared to chemical disinfectant in disinfecting dental impressions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, RGUHS, Bangalore, Karnataka India ; B-101, Sterling Shalom, Kundalahalli colony, ITPL main road, Bangalore, 560037 Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Deepthi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kalahasti
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Veena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hegde
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Kranti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kosaraju
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Srikala
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baliga
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Sri Venkateswara Institute Of Dental Sciences, Palamoor, Mahaboobnagar, Andhra Pradesh India.
authors.forename: N Kulasekhar
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Bk
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sujatha
keywords: Cross contamination; Dental gypsum casts; Disinfection methods; Microwave radiation; Pseudomonas; Staphylococcus