Viral contamination of acrylic resin removable denture bases in patients with COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Salivary gland ducts are one of the primary targets of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Moreover, saliva contains minor and major salivary gland secretions and a combination of nasopharyngeal and lung secretions. The acrylic resin bases of complete or partial removable dentures have pores and provide a favorable environment for the growth of microorganisms. PURPOSE: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the presence of viral contamination of acrylic resin removable denture bases in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The acrylic resin denture bases (partial and complete) of 29 patients with COVID-19 who underwent treatment in the Infectious Diseases Department of Razi Hospital in Ghaemshahr, Mazandaran, Iran, were evaluated. Samples were collected from the intaglio surface of the prostheses by direct swabbing and coding and were evaluated in a laboratory for the presence or absence of coronavirus. The relationship between hospital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denture PCR and the relationship between denture type and denture PCR were evaluated with the Fisher exact test (α=.05). RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients, age range 55 to 85 years, 18 women, 3 with partial dentures and 26 with complete dentures, were evaluated. The hospital PCR test was positive in 28 patients, while the denture PCR test was positive in 4 patients. No significant relationship was observed between the results of hospital PCR and denture PCR in patients with COVID-19 (P=.138). All 4 patients who tested positive for denture PCR had complete dentures. No significant relationship was found between denture type and denture PCR test results in patients with COVID-19 (P=1.000). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the microporous structure of the acrylic resin base, no statistically significant viral contamination was observed.