BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of substances used for hygienic cleaning of dentures on the surface of the denture base material.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Meliodent Heat Cure (Heraeus-Kulzer, Germany) heat-polymerized acrylic resin was used to produce plates with all the characteristics of removable denture bases (subsequently, “plates”). Oral-B Complete toothbrushes of various brush head types were fixed to a device that imitated tooth brushing movements; table salt and baking soda (frequently used by patients to improve tooth brushing results), toothpaste (“Colgate Total”), and water were also applied. Changes in plate surfaces were monitored by measuring surface reflection alterations on spectrometry. Measurements were conducted before the cleaning and at 2 and 6 hours after cleaning.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the 3 test series. All 3 plates used in the study underwent statistically significant (p<0.05changed) – the reflection became poorer. The plates were most affected by the medium-bristle toothbrush with baking soda – the total reflection reduction was 4.82±0.1%; among toothbrushes with toothpaste, the hard-type toothbrush had the greatest reflection-reducing effect – 4.6±0.05%, while the toothbrush with table salt inflicted the least damage (3.5 ± 0.16%) due to the presence of rounded crystals between the bristles and the resin surface. Toothbrushes with water had a uniform negative effect on the plate surface – 3.89±0.07%.

CONCLUSIONS: All substances used by the patients caused surface abrasion of the denture base material, which reduced the reflection; a hard toothbrush with toothpaste had the greatest abrasive effect, while soft toothbrushes inflicted the least damage.

Keywords: Materials Testing - methods, Denture Bases, Methylmethacrylates, Sodium Bicarbonate - adverse effects, Spectrum Analysis, Surface Properties - drug effects, Toothbrushing - adverse effects, Toothpastes - adverse effects