Evaluation of Candida albicans biofilm formation on conventional and computer-aided-design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) denture base materials

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The human mouth mucosal surface is colonized by indigenous microflora, which normally maintains an ecological balance among different species. However, certain environmental or biological factors may disrupt this balance, leading to microbial diseases. Candida albicans biofilms are formed on indwelling medical devices and have an association with both oral and invasive candidiasis. This study aimed to compare the amount of adherent C. albicans and the biofilm formed on different denture base materials. The adhesion of C. albicans to denture base materials is widely recognized as the main reason for the development of denture stomatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 56 polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) acrylic resin disc-shaped samples were divided into four groups as follows: 1) chemically polymerized PMMA, 2) heat-polymerized PMMA, 3) computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) PMMA in high polish, and 4) CAD/CAM resins in glazed form. The adherent cells and formation of C. albicans strains (562, 1905, 1912, and 1949) biofilm were measured by the 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) method and use of a microplate reader. Moreover, morphological alterations of C. albicans cells were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) RESULTS: The biofilm formation was significantly lower on CAD/CAM acrylic resins, compared to conventional denture base materials. The obtained results were confirmed by the SEM images of C. albicans biofilms. CAD/CAM PMMA-based polymers may be preferable to inhibit C. albicans biofilm formation and reduce Candida-associated denture stomatitis in long-term use. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings, the CAD/CAM technique can be used as an efficient technique for denture fabrication as it inhibits microbial accumulation, and consequently, microbial biofilm.