Denture adhesives: a systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Denture adhesives have been the objective of scientific research for over half a century. Although they are used by denture wearers worldwide, investigations of their effectiveness and biocompatibility have led to controversial conclusions.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to review the literature data with regard to the effectiveness and biocompatibility of denture adhesives as well as the attitudes of both patients and dental professionals toward these materials.


METHODS
An electronic search of English peer-reviewed dental literature in the Medline database was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and biocompatibility of denture adhesives. There was no limitation in publication year, so the search included all the available scientific evidence included in that particular database until March 2014. Specific inclusion criteria were used for the selection of the appropriate articles. A manual search of the citations of the obtained articles followed to extend the electronic search.


RESULTS
A full text review was carried out for only 32 articles. Of the 32 articles, 21 examined the efficacy of denture adhesives in terms of retention and stability and masticatory performance, 6 evaluated the issue of the biocompatibility of denture adhesives, and 5 presented the attitudes of either professionals or patients toward these materials.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of clinical studies supported the fact that denture adhesives enhance the retention, stability, and masticatory performance of a removable prosthesis. In terms of biocompatibility, long-term in vivo studies to investigate potential harmful effects were lacking. Patients are satisfied with denture adhesives that meet their needs.
Postgraduate student, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: sofiapapadiochou@gmail.com.
Sofia
S
Papadiochou
Associate Professor, Department of Removable Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Ioannis
I
Emmanouil
Resident, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Ioannis
I
Papadiochos
D000269:Adhesives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D003781:Denture Retention; D003824:Denture, Complete; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D006801:Humans; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology
D000269:Adhesives; D001672:Biocompatible Materials