Comparison between mechanic and chemical/mechanic methods for denture hygiene

Objective: The present study compared the effectiveness of mechanic method (tooth-brush and paste) and chemical/mechanic method (effervescent pastille/ tooth-brush and paste) to remove biofilm from dentures.Methods: Fifty denture users were selected. The experimental period was divided in two steps. Step 1: washing the dentures with water for 7 days (control) and brushing with Johnson & Johnson soft tooth-brush and Dentu-Creme dentifrice (specific to denture) for 21 days. Step 2: control (7 days) and put the dentures in effervescent solution Bonyplus (20 minutes) and brush (Johnson & Johnson soft tooth-brush and Dentu-Creme dentifrice) for 21 days. A computer program (Image Tool 2.02) was used to quantify biofilm from maxillary dentures' digital photos, taken every week. The results were obtained by the percentage of biofilm marked by the program. Results: The Wilcoxon test was used, indicating a significant difference (a=0,05) between the control/mechanic method (m=12,65/6,77) and control/mechanic-chemical method (m=12,65/6,79); and no significant difference (a>0,05) between the mechanic method and mechanic/chemical (m=6,77/6,79). Conclusion: Both methods of hygiene used were similarly efficient to remove the biofilm from dentures.