Comparative assessment of chlorhexidine, autoclave, aleo vera and microwave irradiation for disinfection of impression materials

Objectives: The present research was done to assess the disinfection of impression materials with chlorhexidine, autoclave, aleo vera and microwave irradiation. Materials & Methods: The present research was done in the department of Prosthodontic. The study consists of 48 alginate impression materials which were disinfectant with chlorhexidine, autoclave, aleo vera and microwave irradiation for disinfection of impression materials.  The pre and post bacterial count was evaluated. Results: The average post disinfection of microbial contamination showed that; Group 1 with chlorhexidine was more effective (434.1 at pre and 21.5at post) with lesser microbial count followed by group III with autoclave (411.1at pre and 27.4 at post), Group-II with microwave irradiation (321.4at pre and 13.3 at post) and least effective with group IV: Aleo vera (278.6at pre and 11.1 at post). One-way ANOVA test was applied which revealed significant difference (P< 0.05) in colony forming unit (CFU) in all groups. Conclusion: Authors found that chlorhexidine, is the better method of sterilization along with autoclave, whereas microwave irradiation and Aleo vera were also effective as disinfectant.