Herbal Extracts for Denture Care: Effectiveness and Safety Through In vivo Studies—A Systematic Review

The increasing demand for removable dentures among the geriatric population underscores the need for safe and effective denture cleansers and adhesives. Concerns over the toxicity, cost, and limited biocompatibility of conventional chemical-based products have led to increasing interest in herbal alternatives. This systematic review assessed the efficacy and safety of herbal extracts in denture care. A comprehensive search of PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, and the Cochrane Library was conducted using the terms "herbal denture cleansers," "herbal denture adhesives," and "denture care." In vivo studies published in English since 2010 were included, and seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Herbal agents such as Neem, Triphala, Aloe vera, turmeric, and olive oil demonstrated significant antifungal and antimicrobial activity, comparable to commercial formulations, along with improved denture retention and mucosal health. Overall, herbal extracts hold promise as effective, safe, and biocompatible alternatives for denture maintenance and patient comfort.