Aesthetic Restorations: The Role of The Dental Hygienist in Professional Maintenance: In Vitro Microbiological Study

The aim of this in vitro study is to try to identify a treatment in the field of professional oral hygiene techniques that is ideal and less invasive with regard to prosthetic restorations, chosen in lithium disilicate and feldspar ceramics. Seventeen veneers were prepared (eight in lithium disilicate and nine in feldspar ceramic) and each of them was attached to an extracted tooth. The treatment groups were initially contaminated in the Microbiology Laboratory of Università Vita—Salute San Raffaele. After 24 h they were treated with four different methods of professional oral hygiene and were then sent to the Microscopy Laboratory, in which they were analysed by SEM, with 180X, 250X, and 500X magnification, to assess any damage caused to the treated surfaces. The SEM analysis produced 64 images that were evaluated by an experienced dentist, and the use of the prophetic cup seemed to be the most suitable among the evaluated treatments. However, from a microbiological point of view, this method was the least effective in terms of reducing bacterial growth. In this regard, the use of a prophylactic rubber cup combined with a 0.20% chlorhexidine gel is recommended during professional oral hygiene sessions for the maintenance of aesthetic prosthetic restorations.