The effect of denture cleansing solutions on the retention of yellow Hader clips: an in vitro study.

Purpose: To evaluate the retention of yellow Hader clips after exposure to various denture cleansers.

Methods: Seven groups of 18 yellow Hader clips each were soaked for the equivalent of 6 months of clinical use in the following denture cleansing solutions: Polident Regular, Polident Overnight, Efferdent, 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl, 1:10 dilution) 15 min/day, NaOCl (1:10 dilution) 8 hours/day, water and dry (control) group. A Universal Testing Machine, set at a crosshead speed of 2 in/min, pulled each clip once, and the peak load-to-dislodgement was recorded and used as a measure to reflect changes in the retention of the Hader clips. Data were analyzed by a one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's HSD test. A p value < or = 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Denture cleansing solutions affected the retentive values of yellow Hader clips (F= 6.102, p< or = .0001). Sodium hypochlorite solution, 15 min/day for 6 months, caused an increase in the retentive values of the clips tested with a mean peak load-to-dislodgement of 22.63 +/- 1.29 N. In addition, clips soaked in water showed no difference in retentive values when compared with all other groups. Furthermore, Polident Regular, Polident Overnight, Efferdent, and NaOCl (8 hours/day) had no effect on the retentive values of yellow Hader clips.

Conclusion: This in vitro study demonstrated that the retention of yellow Hader clips used in implant overdentures is unaffected when soaked in commercial effervescent denture cleansers (Polident 5 Minute, Polident Overnight, and Efferdent) for six simulated months. Sodium hypochlorite statistically increased the single-pull retentive values of the clips, an effect that may not be beneficial. Increased retentive values may be associated with reduced durability of clips; further research is needed to address this issue.