ABSTRACT
AIM: To clinically evaluate biofilm growth on 4 liners in complete denture base surfaces of 20 geriatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients received new complete maxillary dentures prepared with 4 chambers (10x10x2 mm) in the tissue surface of acrylic denture base. Each of the 4 chambers was randomly filled with the following denture liners: Eversoft (M1); Kooliner (M2); GC Reline Extra Soft (M3); Elite Soft Relining (M4). Patients were randomly separated into 2 treatment groups: T1- sanitization with soft brush and dentifrice; T2- similar to T1 with daily immersion in cleansing chemical solution (Ortoform). Patients had 8 follow-up sessions over a 3-month period. The internal denture surface was stained with a dental plaque dye at each of the follow-up visits. Standardized photographs were taken, and biofilm growth was scored. Data were tabulated and submitted to Analysis of Variance. Means were compared by Tukey (p<0.05) and T tests. RESULTS: Kooliner (M2) means were significantly different from the others for both groups T1 and T2. Treatment 1 promoted higher biofilm growth scores than treatment 2. The highest score after treatment 1 was Kooliner (M2) and the lowest was Elite Soft Relining (M4). As for treatment 2, Eversoft (M1) was statistically different from Elite Soft Relining (M4). Again, Kooliner (M2) presented the highest score and Elite Soft Relining (M4) the lowest. Kooliner (M2) was statistically different from both GC Reline Extra Soft (M3) and Elite Soft Relining (M4). CONCLUSION: Of the materials and treatments studied, the best clinical selection for lower biofilm growth scores would be Elite Soft Relining (M4) with treatment 2.