Denture plaque microbiology in relation to removable denture hygiene methods

Introduction. Removable dentures, which constitute a reservoir of bacterial and fungal flora, can be an etiological factor responsible for generating local and systemic diseases. Plaque removal by applying mechanical and chemical methods is a basic principle of denture hygiene, it reduces the quantity of microorganisms and can play a role in the qualitative composition of bacterial biofilm. Aim of the study. To evaluate the impact of different denture hygiene methods on the composition of staphylococcal flora on the surface of denture base. Materials and methods. The study involved 62 patients of the Department of General and Transplantation Surgery and the Department of Prosthodontics. Each patient had a removable prosthesis. A thorough dental history with special emphasis put on denture hygiene methods was collected, swab from impression side of denture pate was sampled. Strains of the genus Staphylococcus were isolated and identified. Statistical analysis was conducted. Results. In the group of the examined patients, denture hygiene scheme based on toothbrush and toothpaste was most commonly used (53%). Bacterial strains of the genus Staphylococcus were found in 90% of subjects. The highest percentage of stains, including those with high pathogenicity (S.aureus, S.epidermidis, S.haemolyticus), were isolated in the subjects who used toothbrush and toothpaste and the lowest in those who regularly used mechanical and chemical denture cleaning methods. Conclusions. From a microbiological point of view, a combination of mechanical and chemical methods in regular denture hygiene, can help reducing the number of Staphylococcal strains. Patients, who receive an organ transplant should pay special attention to denture hygiene as microorganisms present on acrylic plate can pose a threat to their health and even life.