Production of Dental Polishing Rouge using Chromium (III) Oxide and Cera Alba extracted from Beehives in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Cera alba is a product of honey comb produced by honey bees of the genus Apis mallifera frequently called Beeswax. It serves as a binder when formulated with chromium (III) Oxide and water in the presence of heat to form Dental Polishing Rouge. Dental Polishing Rouge is a polishing compound used especially for achieving a high smooth and shine with precious metal such as silver and gold. This study aimed at production of dental polishing rouge using Chromium (III) oxide and Cera alba extracted from Beehives in Enugu, Nigeria. The research was carried out between September and December, 2019 in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: The study adopted a two phased experimental approach using the same procedures but different weight and volume compositions. Structured pretested Product Evaluation Data Sheet (PEDS) was used to evaluate the product by selected Practicing Dental Technologists in Enugu State, Nigeria. Results: The resultant Dental Polishing Rouge from experiment II with the following compositions: Cera alba 224.82g, Chromium (III) Oxide 183g and water 3 litres and 2 litres respectively. There was significant excellent agreement among the respondents on the hardness of the product using Mohs scale (5.5-6) 10(40%), excellent product texture 15 (60%); 20 (80%) were in agreement on the colour stability of the product and 13 (52%) were in an excellent agreement on the product effectiveness. Conclusion: These findings suggests that dental polishing rouge can be produced locally in Enugu, Nigeria. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid to the production process, which will facilitate easy practice of Dental Technology, and also conserve huge foreign exchange being spent in the importation of rouge in Nigeria.