Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Irreversible Hydrocolloid Impression Material Incorporated with Various Disinfectants – An In-vitro Study

Background: Blood and saliva can easily contaminate the dental impressions. It contains variety of bacteria, fungi, and viruses which causes cross infection to health personnel & environment. Therefore, sterilizing the impression material is the best way to avoid disease transmission. Spraying and Immersion technique are conventional methods of disinfection of irreversible hydrocolloid impression material but in both of these techniques impression is disinfected only on the surface. Self-disinfecting impression are disinfected throughout the impression material. This study categorized various disinfectants into Chemical, Herbal & Physical. Nanoparticles and herbal disinfectants are mixed with irreversible hydrocolloid impression material, which will suggest its antimicrobial activity.

Aim & Objectives: To evaluate and compare antimicrobial-activity of irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials incorporated with various disinfectants.

Methodology: Commercially existing irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials will be used in the study. The disinfectants used will be chlorhexidine, silver nanoparticles and cinnamon. The selected disinfectants will be added into the irreversible hydrocolloid at the manipulation stage and their antimicrobial activity will be evaluated using the “Kirby Bauer Disk Diffusion Method” against the selected microorganisms.

Expected Outcome: Differential Antimicrobial activity of Chlorhexidine, Silver Nanoparticle and Cinnamon when added to irreversible hydrocolloid for disinfection of impressions.

Conclusion: Addition of various disinfectants in irreversible hydrocolloid may imbibe the antimicrobial activity within the impression materialand with the comparative investigations, more potent disinfectant can be applicable for clinical use as per findings of the present study.