Microbial evaluation of heat cured silicone versus heat cured acrylic resin in maxillary obturator

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The aim of this trial was to compare the microbial colonization of heat-cured silicone and heat-cured acrylic resin in obturators restoring acquired maxillary defects. Material and methods The experiment was carried out on six partially edentulous patients having unilateral total maxillectomy defects approaching midline (class I Aramany classification) who are in need of definitive obturator. Selected patients received metal framework prosthesis with heat-cured acrylic resin bulb extending into the surgical site. At the time of delivery, a swab was obtained from the patients who represent the baseline for the group I. Patients were recalled after two and four weeks from wearing the obturator for microbiological evaluation and a swab was taken each time from the same place. In group II, the heat-cured acrylic resin was replaced with heat-cured silicone and a swab was obtained on the day of insertion as a baseline for group II. Patients were recalled after two and four weeks from the insertion of the relined obturator for microbiological evaluation and a swab was taken each time from the same place. Swabs were obtained from the nasal surface of the surgical defect and immediately cultivated into three different media Blood Agar, Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, and Macconkey media and incubated for microbiological evaluation. The identification and quantification of the isolated microorganisms were performed using the conventional microbiological cultivation method. Finally, the collected data were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results Statistical analysis of the collected data showed, that the difference between the two groups was insignificant. However, patients were more satisfied with obturators lined with heat-cured silicone. Conclusion It was concluded that within the limitations of this study, both acrylic resin and resilient lining materials could be used as a material for obturator construction in maxillofacial cases. However, longer follow-up period might show different results.