Microorganismos predominantes en prótesis removibles de pacientes en la clínica UCSG, B-2023.

Abstract

Edentulism is defined as the loss of dental pieces, either total or partial. Oral rehabilitation aims to replace the lost teeth, restoring the patient's functions and aesthetics. One of the most commonly used options for this purpose is removable dentures. However, many patients are unaware of the importance of proper hygiene, leading the prosthetic device to become a potential reservoir for microorganisms that could contaminate it. Objective: determine the predominant microorganisms in removable partial dentures worn by patients attending the UCSG clinic. Materials and methods: Sixty removable dentures were sampled, immersed in 20 ml of sterile 0.9% saline solution for 3 minutes, followed by laboratory culturing. Results: 49% of the dentures harbored only Gram-positive bacteria, 7% only Gram-negative, and 36% both types. The remaining 8% showed no Gram staining, either due to the exclusive presence of fungi or the absence of microorganisms. Sixty-five percent of the dentures were contaminated with fungi, while 35% remained free of them, regardless of the bacteria present. Gram-positive species included alpha and beta-hemolytic streptococci, non-hemolytic staphylococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Micrococcus luteus, Lactobacillus spp, and Mycoplasma. Gram-negative species included Proteus spp, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Branhamella catarrhalis, and Providencia. Conclusion: a significant percentage of dentures showed microbial contamination by a variety of species, it is imperative to consider this factor due to the potential infections these microorganisms may cause.