Assessment of Microbial Growth and Salivary pH in Patients Wearing Fixed Partial Denture

Abstract

The oral cavity is a moist environment with constant temperature (34 to 36°C) and a pH close to neutrality in most areas and thus supports the growth of a wide variety of microorganisms. Fixed partial Dentures provide a protected habitat, especially beneath the fitting surface, which results in colonization and growth by a range of bacteria . This paves for many other complications of oral cavity. To assess the microbial growth and salivary ph in patients wearing fixed partial denture. 20 partially edentulous patients desiring replacement with fixed partial denture were enrolled in the study after obtaining informed consent . A swab was used to collect the microbial samples and were cultured. The salivary ph was estimated using ph indicator strips. Patients were given FPD and oral hygiene instructions. Microbial samples were obtained after 2 weeks of denture wearing and same salivary ph and microbial parameters were estimated and compared.The microbial growth was expressed in colony forming units. The results were then analysed statistically. A dependent sample ‘t’ test was used to estimate statistically significant differences . Results inferred a statistical significance difference between the klebsiella ,streptococcal and lactobacillus and spirochete species before and after fpd cementation with marked statistical significance in PH. Microbial colonization increased after wearing denture with drastic change in PH . Hence proper oral hygiene measures are to be followed to maintain a healthy oral cavity in denture wearers.

Keywords

• fixed partial denture
• growth
• microbes
• salivary ph