Salivary Microflora of Complete Denture Wearing Patients

Abstract

Objectives of this study were to see the types of aerobic microorganisms present in the saliva of Complete Denture wearing patients and to see any change in isolation frequency and types of microorganisms at 1-week of dentures in use. Materials and Methods: Ethical clearance from the institutional ethical committee and written consent from the patients were taken. All the patients were assessed by taking a detailed history and clinical examination which were recorded in the pre-designed proforma. Standard procedures accepted in the Department of Prosthodontics and in the Department of Microbiology were performed. Each patient were examined twice, once at 24hrs of denture insertion and then at 1-week of dentures in use. A micropippet was used to collect the resting saliva from the floor of the mouth and was diluted in 1ml of normal saline in a sterile vial and was immediately taken to the microbiology lab for culture within half an hour of sample collection. Result: Microorganisms identified at 24hrs of Complete Denture insertion were Streptococcus spp. (n=35), Staphylococcus spp. (n=15), Klebsiella pneumonia (n=5), Acinetobacter anitratus (n=5), Enterobacter cloacae (n=4), Citrobacter freundii (n=4), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=1) and Proteus vulgaris (n=1). Two new microorganisms were isolated at 1-week, Escherichia coli (n=1) and Candida albicans (n=2). Frequency of isolation of the gram negative bacteria increased at 1-week except for Proteus vulgaris. Conclusion: Use of Complete Denture favours colonization of some microorganisms which appear in saliva of patients.