Chlorhexidine as a denture disinfectant in the treatment of denture stomatitis

Abstract

abstract – In a double‐blind study conducted on 53 wearers of complete dentures, application of 2 % chlorhexidine gluconate to the fitting surface of the maxillary denture for 2 weeks was found to produce a significant amelioration of inflamed tissues beneath the denture. Mycelium was eliminated in 90 % of the patients, as evaluated by palatal smears. Five weeks after the treatment was terminated the candida infection of the palatal mucosa was re‐established in all but one of the patients, probably because disinfection of the maxillary denture did not effect a complete suppression of candida growth, neither in the palate nor in other sites of the oral cavity. It is concluded that chlorhexidine gluconate is an appropriate alternative to specific antimycotic drugs for the treatment of palatal can didiasis. However, until conclusive evidence has been produced that prolonged mouth‐rinsing with chlorhexidine is biologically acceptable, it should be used primarily as a denture disinfectant, whereas specific antimycotic drugs should be used to eradicate candida residing on the oral mucosa.