Presence of Gram-negative bacilli and Candida albicans in provisional polymethylmethacrylate in patients of the Integrated Clinic of the Autonomous University of Asunción

Abstract

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMM) based resins are a solution for the replacement of dental structures. This material has been widely used due to its good aesthetics, but the roughness, cracks and defects of this material are propitious for the proliferation of microorganisms that could constitute a risk to the health of patients. This was a descriptive cross-sectional observational study, where samples of PMM provisionals were taken from 20 patients of the Department of Integrated Dental Clinic of the Autonomous University of Asunción. Data on the growth of microorganisms were recorded in Excel spreadsheets for statistical analysis. Of the 20 patients who participated in this research, 50% was female and 50% male, and the average age was 32.35 years (SD±11.94). Seven pontics (6 pontics of 3 pieces and 1 of 6 pieces) and 19 unit crowns were analyzed, the time spent in the mouth was between 4 to 20 weeks with an average of 8.6 weeks. Sixty-five percent of the samples tested positive in the microbiological culture. In some samples, more than one genus of microorganisms was isolated. Five species of Gram-negative bacteria were isolated, the most frequent was Klebsiella pneumoniae with 40%. Candida albicans was isolated in 10% of the samples. In the process of choosing materials for rehabilitation, it is essential to consider the overall situation of each patient, since exposing them to a material with high retention capacities of microorganisms carries a danger