Análise dos métodos de contagem de pontos e planímetro na quantificação do biofilme da dentadura: um estudo de validação metodológica Analysis of the point-counting and planimetric methods in the quantification of the biofilm of dentures: a study of methodological validation

Dois métodos de quantificação de biofilme da dentadura (contagem de pontos e planímetro) foram testados e comparados com o método de pesagem de papel e Índice de Higiene de Prótese. Superfícies internas de 62 próteses foram coradas, fotografadas e as áreas total e do biofilme foram projetadas em papel e contornadas com grafite. O método de contagem de pontos (experimental 1) foi aplicado com uma grade de pontos. Para o método do planímetro (experimental 2), as áreas foram medidas com um planímetro digital e para o método de pesagem (controle 1) foram recortadas e pesadas em balança de precisão. No Índice de Higiene de Prótese (controle 2), utilizou-se a atribuição de escores. Os resultados mostraram uma porcentagem de concordância entre os métodos experimentais e controle 1 de 82% (contagem de pontos) e 95% (planímetro), bem como alto grau de correlação (r = 0,98; r = 0,99) entre os valores obtidos. Quando comparados com o controle 2, houve concordância em 55% (contagem de pontos) e 37% (planímetro) dos casos. Os métodos experimentais podem ser úteis em estudos clínicos para avaliação da eficácia de agentes de higienização.<br>Two methods of quantification of the biofilm (point-counting and planimetric) were tested and compared with the paper-weighing method and with the Prosthesis Hygiene Index. The internal surfaces of 62 complete dentures were stained and photographed. The slides were projected on a paper sheet. The total area and the area covered with biofilm were contoured using a black pencil. The point-counting method (experimental 1) was carried out on a mesh of equidistant points. For the planimetric method (experimental 2), the areas of interest were measured by means of a digital planimeter. In the paper-weighing method (control 1) the areas of interest were cut and weighed on a precision scale. In the determination of the Prosthesis Hygiene Index (control 2), the accumulation of biofilm was estimated by means of a scoring method. The results revealed an agreement rate of 82% between the paper-weighing method and the point-counting method, and an agreement rate of 95% between the former and the planimetric method, which was confirmed by high coefficients of correlation (0.98 and 0.99, respectively). The comparison with the Prosthesis Hygiene Index resulted in 55% of agreement with the point-counting method and in 37% of agreement with the planimetric method. The experimental methods can be useful in clinical studies involving the evaluation of the performance of denture cleansers

The effectiveness of chemical denture cleansers and ultrasonic device in biofilm removal from complete dentures

Adequate denture hygiene can prevent and treat infection in edentulous patients. They are usually elderly and have difficulty for brushing their teeth. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy of complete denture biofilm removal using chemical (alkaline peroxide-effervescent tablets), mechanical (ultrasonic) and combined (association of the effervescent and ultrasonic) methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty complete denture wearers participated in the experiment for 21 days. They were distributed into 4 groups (n=20): (1) Brushing with water (Control); (2) Effervescent tablets (Corega Tabs); (3) Ultrasonic device (Ultrasonic Cleaner, model 2840 D); (4) Association of effervescent tablets and ultrasonic device. All groups brushed their dentures with a specific brush (Bitufo) and water, 3 times a day, before applying their treatments. Denture biofilm was collected at baseline and after 21 days. To quantify the biofilm, the internal surfaces of the maxillary complete dentures were stained and photographed at 45º. The photographs were processed and the areas (total internal surface stained with biofilm) quantified (Image Tool 2.02). The percentage of the biofilm was calculated by the ratio between the biofilm area multiplied by 100 and the total area of the internal surface of the maxillary complete denture. RESULTS: The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparison among groups followed by the Dunn multiple-comparison test. All tests were performed respecting a significance level of 0.05. Significant difference was found among the treatments (KW=21.18; P<0.001), the mean ranks for the treatments and results for Dunn multiple comparison test were: Control (60.9); Chemical (37.2); Mechanical (35.2) and Combined (29.1). CONCLUSION: The experimental methods were equally effective regarding the ability to remove biofilm and were superior to the control method (brushing with water). Immersion in alkaline peroxide and ultrasonic vibration can be used as auxiliary agents for cleaning complete dentures