Cultivable microflora of plaque from full denture bases and adjacent palatal mucosa

Anaerobic cultural techniques and rapid biochemical identification tests normally employed for periodontal plaque were utilized for the analysis of plaque samples taken from denture bases and corresponding adjacent mucosa. Results were compared with those or more comprehensive microbiological investigations. Forty four samples were obtained from the denture bases and adjacent palatal mucosa of 12 patients wearing full upper dentures. The specimens were then collected in Reduced Transport Fluid and processed in the anaerobic glove box. Samples were plated on Enriched Trypticase Soy Agar (ETSA) and cultured under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In addition plaque samples were plated on Sabouraud medium. Facultative bacteria predominated in both denture and palatal plaques. Significantly greater numbers of cocci were recovered in the samples from palatal mucosa. More rods were found in denture plaque. Anaerobes were present in both instances. Among the anaerobes, saccharolytic Bacteroides were identified with the highest frequency, while Veillonella species were present in the greatest quantity. Recovery of yeasts was similar for both ETSA and Sabouraud media incubated aerobically. As has been found in other microbiological studies Candida albicans represented only a minor part of the total cultivable flora.