Schmutzler A, Rauch A, Nitschke I, Lethaus B, Hahnel S. Cleaning of removable dental prostheses - a systematic review. J Evid Based Dent Pract 2021; 21: 101644.

The use of chemical and mechanical denture hygiene interventions was significantly more effective than single cleaning approaches.

The systematic review aimed to provide an overview of the scientific evidence available from prospective clinical studies regarding denture hygiene interventions. Investigations addressing the efficacy of removing microorganisms and biofilms formed on the surface of removable dental prostheses (RDPs) and denture base materials in situ, and their impact on the properties of denture base materials (such as colour stability, surface roughness and dimensional stability), were included. A systematic literature search was conducted. Inclusion criteria comprised prospective clinical trials with a minimum of ten participants investigating (1) methods to remove biofilms formed on the surface of RDPs and denture base materials in situ and/or (2) the influence of these biofilms on denture base materials. A total of 44 studies were included. Data indicated that the combined use of chemical and mechanical denture hygiene interventions was significantly more effective than single cleaning approaches. Only limited evidence was available from clinical studies regarding the effect of denture hygiene interventions on the properties of denture base materials.