Comparison Of Antimicrobial Efficacy Of Herbal Denture Cleansers - An In Vitro Study

AIM: To efficacy of herbal extracts as potential denture cleansing agents at varying concentrations as denture cleansers. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Plant samples were collected, processed, dried, and ground into powder. Ethanolic extracts were then prepared at varying concentrations. These extracts formed the test groups—Group A, B, and C for the respective plants, while Group X served as the control, using a commercial denture cleanser (Clinsodent) containing sodium perborate. Heat-cured acrylic denture specimens measuring 4 cm × 2 cm × 2 mm were fabricated. Three standard microbial strains were selected for testing. Based on the antimicrobial susceptibility results, each plant extract was further tested on denture specimens. The denture blocks were exposed to 0.5 McFarland standard bacterial and fungal suspensions for 24 hours. Following contamination, the specimens were immersed in the respective plant extracts at different concentrations to assess microbial adhesion. All data were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The tested herbal formulations demonstrated effectiveness against S. aureus, S. mutants, and C. albicans. Justicia adhatoda exhibited inhibitory activity at a concentration of 50 mg/dl, while Punica granatum and Glycyrrhiza glabra were effective at 100 mg/dl. The combined herbal denture cleanser formulation could be used at a concentration of 100 mg/dl. CONCLUSION: Natural (herbal) products used as denture cleansers are effective as commercial denture cleansing tablets. Natural denture cleansers are cost effective, easily available and highly effective against oral pathogens.