THE EFFECT OF THE LASERMATE FINISHING AND POLISHING TECHNIQUE ON THE ORAL MICROBIAL FLORA IN PATIENTS WEARING REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of laser finishing and polishing technique on the bacterial count and periodontal health of the abutment teeth in patients wearing removable partial dentures. Materials and Methods:  Twenty patients (30-45 years old; mean age of 40 years) were selected.  All patients had Kennedy class-II modification 1 partially edentulous mandibular arches. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group-(I): Included ten patients each received RPD conventionally finished & polished. Group (II): Included ten patients each received RPD laser mate finished & polished. Microbial flora count was carried-out. Gamma-sterilized cotton swabs was used to collect microbial swabs from the mucosa of the denture bearing area (before denture insertion) and from the mucosa contacting the fitting surfaces of the metallic RPD' frameworks of both groups, i.e. lingual bar and the modification area (at denture insertion, one month and two months)  70 Summary and Conclusion  Culturing the specimen and counting the colonies was done using the chromogenic agar medium