Evaluating the efficiency of three methods to clean and disinfect screw- and cement-retained prostheses
Published: January 13, 2021 Abstract Statement of problem Screw- and cement-retained prostheses (SCRPs) may be contaminated during fabrication in a dental laboratory, leading to mechanical and biological complications related to the implant treatment. Studies that explored methods to efficiently and conveniently clean and disinfect SCRPs are sparse. Purpose The purpose of this clinical study was to compare the efficiency of 3 methods to remove contaminants and microorganisms present on the surface of an SCRP. Material and methods Forty-eight 1-unit SCRPs fabricated in a dental laboratory were randomly divided into 3 groups: wiping, soaking, or ultrasonic cleaning. The presence of contaminants was determined by scanning electron microscopy, and microbial cells were cultured before and after treatment. Bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) on the surface of the SC
