Fomite Contamination of Alginate Impressions and the Role of Herbal and Chemical Disinfectants

Abstract

Introduction: Contamination of alginate impressions is reported and various methods to disinfect them have been studied. However, contamination of the impressions from the rubber bowl is not known. The transfer of microorganisms to the oral cavity by the alginate mixed in an unsterilized rubber bowl is a possibility. The objective of this study is to find out the fomite contamination of alginate impressions from rubber bowls and evaluate the role of chemical and herbal disinfectants against them. Methodology: Thirty volunteers were included in the study and they were grouped into six groups (one control and five study groups). Three chemical disinfectants and two herbal disinfectants were used to disinfect the rubber bowl before impressions. The presence of pathogens and the number of colony-forming units were evaluated. Results: Harmful pathogens like Staphylococcus species, E. coli, Pseudomonas species, Bacillus species, and Klebsiella species have been detected under a light microscope on the surface of the rubber bowl. There was a significant decrease in the number of colony-forming units on alginate impressions after the rubber bowl was disinfected. Herbal disinfectants showed a profound decrease in the transmission of organisms compared to chemical disinfectants. Conclusion: The presence of fomite contamination in the routine impression has been confirmed in the study. All the disinfectants showed a significant reduction in colony-forming units when the rubber bowl was disinfected. Both the plant extracts showed an effective decrease in Colony-Forming Units (CFU) per ml and were as effective in eliminating pathogens as the chemical disinfectants. Hence, plant extracts of Neem and Babool can be a viable alternative to chemical disinfectants on rubber bowls.