Dissolution of Cast Aluminum in Different Denture Cleansers

Aluminum is one type of metal base material used as an alternative to acrylic resin. This study evaluated whether commonly used denture cleansers cause leaching of the metal base into the cleaning solution. Seven cleansers (Efferdent, Polident, Clorox, Clorox/Cascade, vinegar, Tartar and Stain Remover, and Ivory soap) and two controls (tap water and distilled water) were evaluated. One hundred thirty-five wax samples (30 x 30 x 1 mm) were cast in 99.4% pure aluminum. The 135 samples were randomly assigned to the nine cleanser groups. Each sample was soaked in a cleanser for 0.5, 1, or 8 hours, and the amount of aluminum present in each cleanser was then analyzed by atomic flame-emission spectrometry. The results indicated that all cleansers leached aluminum into solution in varying amounts. Tartar and Stain Remover and Clorox caused the greatest leaching, whereas Ivory soap and Efferdent leached the least.