Related Experiment Videos
Denture adhesives: cytotoxicity, microbial contamination, and formaldehyde content
K Ekstrand1, A Hensten-Pettersen, A Kullmann
1NIOM, Scandinavian Institute of Dental Materials, Haslum, Norway.
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Denture adhesives can harm oral tissues, as this study found severe cytotoxic effects and microbial contamination in most tested products. Some adhesives also contained concerning levels of formaldehyde, a potential irritant.
Area of Science:
- Oral biology
- Biomaterials science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Denture adhesives improve denture retention but are ingested.
- Limited data exists on the biological impact of denture adhesives and their leachables.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biological properties of 19 commercial denture adhesives.
- To assess cytotoxicity, microbial contamination, and formaldehyde content.
Main Methods:
- Agar overlay technique for cytotoxicity assessment.
- Microbial cultivation using Sabouraud dextrose agar (fungi) and tryptone soya broth (aerobes).
- Chemical analysis for formaldehyde content.
Main Results:
- All tested denture adhesives exhibited severe cytotoxic effects in the agar overlay test.
- Microbial growth was detected in most of the samples.
- Substantial formaldehyde levels were found in four products, with minor amounts in two others.
Conclusions:
- Commercial denture adhesives can pose biological risks due to cytotoxicity and microbial contamination.
- The presence of formaldehyde in some denture adhesives warrants further investigation regarding patient safety.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term biological implications of denture adhesive use.