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Abstract

Objectives:
The objective of the study was to highlight a disinfectant which dentists can use to decontaminate alginate impressions in hospitals and clinics before sending it to laboratory.
Materials and Methods:
This In-vitro experimental study was conducted at the Department of Prosthodontics, Sardar Begum Dental College & Hospital, Peshawar. After Ethical approval Microbiological analysis were carried out at Research Centre Gandhara University, Peshawar. Consent was taken from Male dentate individuals fulfi lling the inclusion criteria and maxillary impressions were achieved from them. Palatal portion each impression was divided into four section. Specimens of control group 1 were left unwashed and untreated whereas; Specimens of experimental group 2 were sprayed with simple tap water, specimens of experimental group 3 were washed with 0.5% hypochlorite solution and specimens of experimental group 4 were treated with 1% chlorohexidine solution. These specimen were then arranged on blood agar petriplates stitched with S.mutans and results were collected. For dimensional stability specimen were made from alginate impression materials and were tested according to ADA specification no 19.
Results:
The control group (untreated) exhibited the highest mean microbial colony count (63.6 ± 15.1 CFU), while disinfection with 1% chlorhexidine resulted in the lowest (1.27 ± 1.53 CFU), refl ecting a 98% reduction in microbial load (p < 0.001). Treatment with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite also showed a signifi cant reduction (2.2 ± 1.90 CFU; p < 0.001, 96.5% reduction), whereas rinsing with tap water (19.87 ± 6.78 CFU) achieved only a 68.8% reduction (p < 0.001). In terms of dimensional stability, untreated impressions showed a 10% reduction in dimensions after 1 hour (from 20 mm to 18 mm). In contrast, the 1% chlorhexidine group maintained dimensional stability with only a 2.5% change (20 mm to 19.5 mm), followed by 0.5% hypochlorite (4.5%) and tap water (4%). All changes were statistically significant (p < 0.05), with 1% chlorhexidine showing the most favorable balance of antimicrobial effi cacy and minimal dimensional distortion.
Conclusion:
Chlorohexidine 1% is proved to be a potent disinfectant as compared to tap water and 0.5% sodium hypochlorite for irreversible hydrocolloid alginate impression material.