Scanning electron microscopic examination of ultrasonic and effervescent methods of surface contaminant removal from...

Dentures were examined by scanning electron microscopy to evaluate removal of surface contaminants such as plaque, calculus, microflora, and cigarette smoke. Ten complete dentures were obtained during patient appointments and prepared for SEM examination. Samples from 10 control surfaces, 10 surfaces cleaned with effervescent cleansers, and 10 surfaces ultrasonically cleaned were photographed at x5000. One photograph of each sample was evaluated in random order by five judges for a total of 150 observations. Photographs were compared with one of a clean denture sample. Statistical analysis of the results validated the superiority of the ultrasonic method for cleaning dentures.