Relapse tendency and removal of acquired discolourations in long-term denture disinfection with chlorhexidine

Abstract

Five patients with denture stomatitis were initially treated for 14 days with a combination of amphotericin B lozenges and denture soaking in 0.2 % chlorhexidine. To prevent recurrence the dentures were then kept overnight in 0.2 % chlorhexidine during five months. No relapse occurred, but the dentures (all–acrylic) became heavily discoloured by chlorhexidine. During this period fungi could not be grown either on palatal or on maxillar denture agar models, and clinical signs and symptoms were reduced further. At the end of treatment hypochlorite was used to remove chlorhexidine-induced denture stain. Brushing and soaking (0.16 %) proved more efficient than brushing alone, and when a 0.60 % solution was used, the stains were generally eliminated in two hours. Hypochlorites in the prevention and removal of chlorhexidine discolourations deserve further attention.