Enhancing Removable Partial Denture Hygiene: Investigating Mucolytic Agents and Biocides for Disrupting Biofilms and Improving Antimicrobial Efficacy.

This article investigates the antibiofilm efficacy of three chemical agents—peracetic acid (PA), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC)—against a multispecies biofilm composed of Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata on heat-polymerizing acrylic resin (AR) and cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloy surfaces, which are primary materials in removable partial dentures (RPDs). The study found that PA exhibited the strongest antibiofilm activity by significantly reducing microbial viability and metabolic activity on both surfaces, while CPC and NAC showed intermediate effects, with NAC notably reducing bacterial viability but not affecting yeasts or biofilm matrix removal. None of the tested solutions completely eradicated the biofilm, and the authors highlight the need for cautious use of PA due to potential cytotoxicity and recommend further research combining chemical and mechanical cleaning methods to optimize RPD disinfection.