Laboratory contamination of dental prostheses.

Potential pathogenic microbiologic cross-contamination from various sources by way of the dental laboratory has been documented, and guidelines to reduce it have been published. Ten sterile, complete dentures were fractured and sent to different dental laboratories for repair. Upon return, nine were found to be contaminated with potentially pathogenic microorganisms, possibly from other patients. Dentists must ensure that the possibility of infection to patients from prosthodontic treatment does not exist.