A comparative evaluation of disinfection effect of exposures to ultra-violet light and direct current glow discharge on Candida Albicans colonies coated over elastomeric impression material: An in vitro study

AIM: The aim of our study is to compare the efficacy of ultra-violet light (U-V light) and direct current glow discharge in disinfecting Candida Albicans coated elastomeric impression material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty samples of addition silicone material in the form of circular discs measuring (diameter-30 mm, thickness-3 mm) were prepared. Samples were divided into four groups namely A, B, C, D, with each group containing 60 samples. All samples in each group were sub grouped as follows for exposure time 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 s respectively. Group A samples were exposed to U-V light with 8 watts. Group B samples were exposed to U-V light with 16 watts. Group C samples were exposed to U-V light with 24 watts. Group D samples were exposed to direct current glow discharge. After exposure, the impression material was swabbed on sabourauds dextrose agar (SDA) plates and incubated at 37°C for 48 h. The total number of colonies indicating the number of C. Albicans that survived the direct current glow discharge and U-V light treatment was then determined using a microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Group A samples exhibited proportionate decrease in the number of colonies with each greater time of exposure. Group B samples exhibited proportionate decrease in the number of colonies with each greater time of exposure. Group C samples exhibited total absence of C. Albicans colonies at 90 s exposure. In Group D samples there was a proportionate decrease in number of C. Albicans colonies with exposure to direct current glow discharge for more seconds. Hence, this study reveals that exposure to U-V light drastically reduced the C. Albicans colonies compared with exposure to direct current glow discharge. It was observed that with greater wattage of U-V light tube in U-V light unit chamber, greater decrease in colony count was observed in lesser time of exposure.