Effect of three denture adhesive forms on complete dentures wearers: An in-vivo study

Aim: Flat ridge is a frequent problem with the retention of mandibular complete denture. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of three forms of denture adhesives on microbial colonization, retention of mandibular denture, and satisfaction for completely edentulous patients with mandibular flat ridge. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 21 completely edentulous patients with mandibular flat ridge. They were divided randomly into three equal groups; group I: patients used denture adhesive paste, group II: patients used denture adhesive powder, and group III: patients used denture adhesive cushion. For each patient, a cotton swab was taken from the buccal shelf area, and microbial colonization was evaluated by calculating colony forming unit on blood agar after 48 h of incubation. The retention of the denture was measured using a digital force gage in newton before using denture adhesive and at 1, 3, and 6 months after using it. Patient satisfaction was evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months after using denture adhesives. The values of microbial colonization, retention, and patient satisfaction were analyzed using analysis of variance and paired Student's t-test followed by Tukey's test. Results: No significant difference was found between the three groups in microbial colonization. The retention of mandibular denture was increased in the three groups with no significance difference between them. There was also no significant difference between the three groups with regard to patient satisfaction. Cushion form denture adhesive gave long time of retention, followed by paste form and then powder form denture adhesive. Conclusion: The number of microorganisms was not increased or decreased by using denture adhesives. Retention of mandibular denture was increased by using denture adhesive, whether paste or powder or cushion, with no significant difference between them.