COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF EFFECT OF A DENTURE CLEANING PASTE AND CALCIUM CARBONATE CONTAINING PASTE ON SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND WEIGHT LOSS ON HEAT POLYMERISED PMMA RESIN: AN IN VITRO STUDY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Denture cleaning helps in maintaining oral hygiene and prevents cross contamination. Cleaning of dentures can be done by mechanical, chemical or combination of both methods. Brushing of denture with dentifrices will help in plaque removal however, additive abrasives may lead to surface roughness. Thus, selection of abrasive plays a vital role on acrylic denture. Thorough literature search showed no study comparing abrasiveness of commercially available denture paste (Stim Clanden) and calcium carbonate containing toothpaste (Emoform R) on PMMA.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: Heat polymerised acrylic resin (n=12) including three groups: Brushing with plain water (T1), Brushing with denture cleaning paste (T2) and Brushing with desensitizing agent (T3). Brushing was performed using electronic toothbrush with soft bristles for 300 minutes, representing 6 months of brushing. Weight was measured initially and after the trial period. Surface roughness was measured using profilometer pre and post brushing.

RESULTS: The observations were analysed using Anova and Post hoc tukey tests. Statistically significant differences (<0.05) were obtained for surface roughness and weight loss amongst three groups.

CONCLUSION: Emoform-R (calcium carbonate containing paste) showed less weight loss and surface roughness of PMMA when compared to Stim clanden (denture cleaning paste).