Effectiveness of a sonic-action denture cleaning program

Abstract

Those patients who volunteered to serve were given the denture cleaning unit to be tested along with its appropriate container of cleaning solution in a quantity sufficient to last one month. The solution was a phosphate-containing liquid at low pH. They were also given a denture cleaning brush and instructions for using it. Instructions were identical to those accompanying the commercially available unit but were strengthened by the addition of a more positive statement on brushing the denture vigorously for a period of one minute during rinsing. Each denture was photographed in color by a professional photographer under standardized conditions which would allow color intensity to be controlled. A series of five photographs was made: one at the initial pretrial visit and one for each week of the four successive test weeks. During the first two weeks, the patients were instructed to use the special cleaning unit and liquid solution. For the remaining two weeks, they were to utilize their usual methods of denture hygiene. Each patient was interviewed and the following information was obtained : 1. Food habits-unusual dietary habits; frequency of use of “detergent” foods, such as raw carrots, celery, and the like. 2. Beverage habits-frequency of use of coffee, tea, or fruit juice. 3. Smoking habits-frequency of use of cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and chewing tobacco.