[Adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to removable denture crowns]

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Oral Microbiology
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Removable dentures can influence the oral environment.
• Controlling bacterial adhesion, particularly Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), is crucial for oral health.
• Denture base materials play a role in bacterial colonization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the adhesion of S. mutans to different types of removable denture crowns.
• To identify denture materials that minimize bacterial influence on the oral environment.

Main Methods:

• Three types of denture crowns were tested: single color synthetic resin, alloy pin porcelain, and minute color synthetic resin.
• Crowns were incubated with S. mutans in sterile saliva for 24 hours.
• Adhered bacteria were quantified using sonic oscillation and bacteria coating techniques.

Main Results:

• Single color synthetic resin teeth exhibited the highest S. mutans adhesion.
• Alloy pin porcelain teeth showed a moderate level of adhesion.
• Minute color synthetic resin teeth demonstrated significantly lower S. mutans adhesion compared to the other two types (P<0.01).

Conclusions:

• Minute color synthetic resin teeth are associated with reduced S. mutans adhesion.
• This lower adhesion may be attributed to the minute color synthetic resin's lower surface free energy.
• Selecting denture materials with lower surface free energy could be a strategy to mitigate S. mutans accumulation in the oral cavity.