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Researched by Kari B.
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The purpose of this experiment was to determine which denture cleanser would remove coffee, grape juice and cola stains from denture material the best.
I became interested in this idea while watching a television advertisement commercial for Efferdent Plus Denture Cleaner; I wondered which brand was truly the best.
The information gained from this experiment will help denture wearers
reduce the discoloration of their dentures. This would save the consumers
money.
My hypothesis was that Efferdent Plus denture cleaner would remove coffee, grape juice, and cola better than Polident.
I base my hypothesis on Terri Jonas who said, "Efferdent Plus remove coffee stains from my teeth the best." Terri has worn dentures for 10 years, and consumes 4 cups of coffee on a daily basis. Terri had experience using both cleaners.
The constants in this study were:
Type of dentures
Amount of time dentures soaked in stain
Amount of time dentures soaked in remover
Size and type of containers dentures are soaked in
Amount of stain (50 ml)
The manipulated variable was the denture cleaner used
The responding variable was the whiteness of the stained denture after being exposed to the cleaners.
To measure the responding variable I will measure the whiteness of each denture using a dental shade guide provided by Chalet Dental Clinic.
| QUANTITY | ITEM DESCRIPTION |
| 9 | Teeth |
| 3 | Efferdent Plus samples |
| 3 | Polident samples |
| 250mL | Water |
| 1 | Graduated Cylinder |
| 150mL | Coffee |
| 150mL | Grape Juice |
| 150mL | Coca-Cola |
| 1 | Shade Guide (obtained by Chalet Dental Clinic) |
| 1 pair | Latex Gloves |
| 1 pair | Tweezers |
| 14 |
Clear Plastic Dixie Cups |
| 3 | Plasdent Denture Baths |
| 1 | Alarm Clock |
| 1 | 12" X 12" sheet of plastic wrap |
- Gather materials.
- Label 4 cups E1, E2 & E3.
- Label 4 cups P1, P2 & P3.
- Label 3 cups h20/CF, h20/GR, & h20/CC.
- Label 3 Plasdent Denture Baths "Efferdent", "Polident" and "Control"
- Put on rubber gloves.
- Carefully pour 50mL of coffee brewed as suggested by manufacture in cups E1, P1 and h20/cf using graduated cylinder (for all transferring of stains)
- Carefully pour 50mL of grape juice in cups E2, P2, and h20/gr.
- Carefully pour 50mL of Coca-Cola in cups E3, P3, and h20/cc.
- Match the tooth color with the closest shade on the shade guide and record.
- Carefully place 1 tooth each cup.
- Set an alarm clock for 24 hours. When it goes off, reset it for another 24 hours.
- Carefully pour 50mL of water (45ºC) into cups labeled E4 and P4 with h20/CF, h20/GR & h20/CC.
- Carefully remove stained tooth from each cup with tweezers.
- Carefully place each stained tooth onto sheet of plastic wrap.
- Match up each stained tooth with shade on the shade guide as close as possible.
- Carefully place the coffee stained teeth into each of the Plasdent denture baths. One in each.
- Carefully pour contents of cleaner package, and follow the directions on the package.
- Set timer for 15 minutes.
- When timer goes off, remove tooth from container.
- Match up each stained tooth with shade on the shade guide as close as possible, and record.
- Repeat steps 16-21 but use the grape juice, and Coca-Cola stained teeth.
- Record and organize all data.
- Repeat steps 2-23 for one more trial.
The original purpose of this experiment was to determine which denture cleanser would remove coffee, grape juice and cola stains from denture material the best
The results of the experiment were that the teeth that were cleaned in Efferdent Plus decreased a greater number of shades on the shade guide. Teeth that were cleaned in the control group decreased the least number of shades on the shade guide. In other words, Efferdent Plus was the best whitener.
My hypothesis was that Efferdent Plus denture cleaner would remove various stains most effectively from denture materials.
The results indicate that this hypothesis should be accepted because the denture materials in which were cleaned in Efferdent were whiten most thoroughly.
Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if different amounts of ingredients in the cleanser would affect the whiteness of the denture material. I also wonder if the temperature of the stains and cleansers would affect the amount of whiteness.
If I were to conduct this project again I would use a larger variety
of stains, and a larger variety of denture cleansers. I would control
the temperature of the stains and cleansers. I would do more than
2 trials. I also would stain the teeth for a longer period of time
like 72 or 96 hours, instead of 48 hours, and clean the teeth for 30 minutes
instead of 15 minutes.
I would like to thank the following people for their contributions in making my project successful.
First, I would like to thank Mrs. Linda Hughes R.D.H., for taking time out of her busy schedule to get me most of my supplies for my project and some information I used.
Next, I would like to thank Mrs. Terri Jonas for giving sufficient information to help improve my hypothesis.
I also would like to think the offices Dr. Mark Young DDS, for giving me information on dentures and ways to clean them.
I would like to thank Miss Jamie H. and Miss Breeana S. for giving me advice on my display and different suggestions on my project.
I would like to thank my Advanced Science teaching assistant, Mrs. Rita Pasckvale for helping me stay organized throughout the time of my project.
Last, but surely not least I would like to thank my Advanced Science
teacher, Mr. Ken Newkirk for allowing me to enter the Advanced Science
program and for giving me great advice.
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