Clinical Efficacy of Sodium Hypochlorite as Denture Cleanser

Objective: Clinical studies with a high level of evidence on denture cleansers methods are scarce. Thus, this study used a randomized and crossover clinical trial to analyze the efficacy of 1% sodium hypochlorite as denture cleanser. Methods: Thirty complete denture wearers used the following hygiene methods: (I - Control) brushing 3 times a day with toothbrush (Denture) and special toothpaste for dentures (Corega) and immersion in saline for 20 minutes once a day. (II) similar brushing, but with immersion in sodium hypochlorite 1% for 20 minutes once a day. Both solutions were dispensed in white bottles without identification. All volunteers used the two methods of hygiene for a period of 7 days each. After using the methods, the internal surface of the dentures was evidenced with 1% neutral red and photographed. The percentage of biofilm area on the surface was measured by computer and used as the outcome variable. Results: The difference between the methods and the effect of the order in which they were applied, was analyzed by a standard generalized linear model of test (a = 0.05). It was observed that the effect of periods (Ρ= 0.645) and the interaction between periods and methods (Ρ = 0.097) were not significant, which validated the use of a crossover design. As regards methods, results showed that sodium hypochlorite promoted a lower percentage area of biofilm (2.5 ± 5.2) when compared with saline (5.0 ± 4.6, Ρ= 0.001). Conclusion: It was concluded that sodium hypochlorite was capable of reducing biofilm on dentures to levels that were not achieved with the use of toothbrushes.

(Financial support: Fapesp. N 07/59850-2; Ethics committee number:2008.1.33.58.7)