IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 15, Issue 7 Ver. I (July 2016), PP 77-82 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-150717782 www.iosrjournals.org 77 | Page A Comparative Analysis of the Effect of two Mouthrinses on the Accumulation of Biofilm on Dentures. Bamigboye AT, 1 Awotile AO, 1 Akeredolu PA, 2 Obisesan B, 3 Loto AO, 1 Oyapero A, 4 Benjamin OO 1 1 Department of Restorative Dentistry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. 2 Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Lagos, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. 3 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Lagos, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. 4 Department of Preventive Dentistry, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. Abstract Introduction: One of the common problems among denture wearers is the formation of plaque on the surfaces of the dentures. For many patients mechanical denture hygiene measure may be insufficient to achieve plaque removal on the dentures hence the rationale for the use of mouth rinses. Thus, this study aimed at comparing the effect of two mouth rinses on the accumulation of biofilm on dentures. Methodology: Patients were selected through a simple random sampling method (balloting) and subsequently assigned into 3 study groups; chlorhexidine digluconate group(CHX), hexetidine group and control group (normal tap water) with each group consisting of 43 patients. All the patients attended thrice: day 1 (baseline), day 7 (1 st recall) and day 14 (2 nd recall). Stained surface analysis was done using Image processing software 2012 (Image J tool 3.0 for Microsoft windows). Further descriptive and inferential analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 20.0 and test of statistical significance was done using Analysis of variance (ANOVA). The confidence level was set at 95% and the P-value of 0.05 or less was taken as statistically significant. Result: Mean percentage biofilm coverage area for CHX group was 31.43%, hexetidine group was 29.58% while that of control group was 54.55%. The ANOVA result showed that the mean difference between percentage biofilm coverage area of CHX and hexetidine groups was not statistically significant (P=0.215), whilst the difference between the experimental groups (CHX and hexetidine) and the control group was statistically significant (P=0.001) Conclusion: The tested denture cleansing agents used in this study, CHX and hexetidine solutions were equally efficacious in reducing biofilm and were superior to the control agent (water). Keywords: Partial dentures, biofilm, CHX digluconate, hexetidine, water, oral hygiene, denture hygiene. I. Introduction The insertion of a removable prosthesis in the mouth results in significant changes in the oral environment which may lead to adverse effects on the integrity of the oral tissues. 1 The oral health status of denture wearers is often poor and several studies have observed the deterioratingstatus of the oral health of denture wearers. 2,3 Poor oral hygiene in denture wearers can be associated with lack of guidance, intrinsic characteristics of dentures and diminished manual dexterity of denture users, especially in old age. 4 It is absolutely essential to ensure that the patient is trained or instructed about the importance of maintenance of denture hygiene and that the patient is recalled at regular intervals to ensure that the oral hygiene is maintained. 5,6 .Poor denture hygiene results in the accumulation of biofilms which makes adequate cleaningmandatory for denture wearers. 5,6 Biofilms are dense microbial layer formed by microorganisms and their metabolites. 7 They usually consist of more than 10 microorganisms per gram of dry weight. 7 Biofilms can be formed by a single bacterial specie, but more often consists of many species of bacteria, as well as fungi, algae and protozoa. 7 Biofilms form on dental prostheses and appliances such as mouth guards and night guards, 8 andthese appliances can become colonized with large numbers of microorganisms within hours. Biofilm accumulation can lead to a host of local and systemic problems. 9 These include bad breath, acrylic resin pigmentation, stains, formation of calculus deposits as well as development of chronic atrophic candidiasis or denture stomatitis. 5 Organism associated with denture biofilms can sometimes spread and cause infections of the lungs and gastrointestinal organs. 10 Biofilms can also be responsible for diseases which can be highly resistant to antibiotics. 7 This can increase the risk of developing dental caries and periodontal diseases especially on the abutment teeth that retain the dental prosthesis in the mouth. 8 Accumulation of plaque on dentures is a major problem for denture wearers (partial or complete; upper or lower; immediate or definitive). It is generally