Influence of cleansers and a phytotherapic against Candida albicans on the properties of denture liners

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and effect of denture cleansers and the phytotherapic Plantago australis Lam. on mechanical properties of two resilient denture liners. Materials and method: Samples of acrylic and silicone based materials were submitted to biofilm formation using 24-well polystyrene cell tissue culture plates to form C. albicans biofilm for 1, 7 and 14 days. The specimens were subjected to the following treatments: distilled water, 0.5% sodium hypochlorite, sodium perborate and Plantago australis Lam. Counts of Candida were calculated and the results expressed in colony forming units (CFU)/mm2. The following analyses were performed: sorption and solubility, surface roughness and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Three-way ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference between materials (p<0.001) with the resin-based liner presenting higher surface roughness without difference between measurements before and after treatment (paired t-test). T-test showed no statistically significant difference for sorption (p=0.364) and solubility (p=0.278) for both liners. SEM analysis revealed a more irregular surface topography in the resin based denture liner after the treatment with sodium hypochlorite. Candida albicans counts were equal for sodium perborate, Plantago australis Lam. and distilled water, while sodium hypochlorite showed the lowest counts (p<0.05). Conclusions: 0.5% sodium hypochlorite was the most effective cleanser. Keywords: Dentures. Denture cleansers. Candida albicans.