Efficacy of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy in Denture Stomatitis: Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Denture stomatitis (DS) is a common lesion, and of its numerous etiological factors, the Candida species is important. Several strategies are adopted for its treatment; antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising treatment that produces cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, inducing microbial killing. The aim was to report the efficacy of aPDT in 2 patients with DS associated with Candida species. Measurement of clinical effectiveness and microbiologic evaluation were performed by using samples from the palatal mucosa and the prosthesis, inoculated in Sabouraud dextrose agar and CHROMagar Candida to determinate colony-forming units (CFU/mL). The patients were treated with 5 sessions of aPDT with 0.01% methylene blue and were irradiated with a laser at 660 nm (InGaAlP, 4J, 100mW; Photon lase III, DMC, São Paulo). The patients showed clinical remission of DS and significant reduction of CFUs. Thus, aPDT may be a promising option for DS associated with Candida species.