Comparative Evaluation of Stain Removal Efficacy of Commercially Available Chemical Denture Cleansers with Natural Denture Cleansers on Heat Cured Acrylic Denture Base Resins: An In Vitro Study

Background: Denture staining compromises esthetics and hygiene. While chemical denture cleansers are widely used, natural alternatives are gaining attention for their biocompatibility and availability. Aim: To compare and evaluate the stain removal efficacy of commercially available chemical denture cleansers (Clinsodent and VI Clean) with natural denture cleansers (lemon juice and aloe vera) on heat-cured acrylic denture base resins. Materials and Methods: 150 heat-cured acrylic resin specimens were fabricated and stained using tea, coffee, and turmeric. These were divided into subgroups and treated with one of the five solutions: Clinsodent, VI Clean, lemon juice, aloe vera, or distilled water (control) over 3 months. Optical density (OD) at λmax was measured using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer before staining, after staining, and post-cleaning. Results: Clinsodent showed the greatest stain removal efficacy for tea and coffee stains, while VI Clean performed best against turmeric stains. Natural cleansers, especially aloe vera, showed lower efficacy, with distilled water outperforming it in some cases. Conclusion: Commercially available denture cleansers were more effective than natural alternatives in removing stains from heat-cured acrylic dentures. Natural products like lemon juice showed moderate effectiveness and could be considered as adjunctive or alternative options in select cases.