Evaluate and Compare the Antifungal Effects of Herbal Extracts and Commercially Available Denture Cleanser on Heat-Polymerized Acrylic Denture Base Resin

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate and compare the antifungal effects of origanum oil as a denture cleanser.

Materials and Methods: The sample size for each group is 13. A total of 39 heat-polymerized acrylic samples were divided into 3 groups with 13 samples in each group. Specimens with the specific dimensions were obtained from the modeling wax. Wax patterns were invested into the flask and dewaxing was performed conventionally. Finishing was carried out using fine-grit sandpaper and the sodium perborate tablet "fittydent" was dissolved in distilled water. Eight pre-cultured C. albicans were standardized and the commercial denture cleanser, ie. fittydent tablets and the herbal extracts, Origanum oil were diluted in distilled water. Agar plates were incubated accordingly. The denture samples were immersed in Sabouraud dextrose broth containing C. albicans. The specimens were washed and stained with crystal violet, the dentures were washed with 70% methanol to remove and the adhered C. albicans and optical densities of the samples were measured using a spectrophotometer.

Statistical Analysis and Results: Each group contains an equal number of samples, specifically 13 samples. The percentages indicate that each group contributes equally to the total sample size, with each group comprising 33.33% (n=13) of the total sample population. Mean ± SD of optical densities in group 1, 2 and 3 were 0.069 ± 0.017, 0.272 ± 0.263 and 0.213 ± 0.065 respectively. Minimum and maximum values of optical densities in group 1 were 0.043 and 0.094, in group 2 were 0.015 and 0.690 and; in group 3 were 0.015 and 0.690.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study the authors concluded that the antifungal effects of Origanum oil exhibits comparable efficacy to the commercial denture cleanser Fittydent tablet on heat-polymerized acrylic denture base resin. They also concluded that the potential of Origanum oil as a viable alternative to conventional denture cleansers for managing denture stomatitis devoid of adverse effects.