Effects of two peroxide enzymatic denture cleaners on Candida albicans biofilms and denture surface

OBJECTIVE: To compare the antifungal action of two commercially available denture cleaning agents to that of standard clinical solutions, and determine their effects on the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) acrylic resin denture surface. METHODS: Candida albicans growth was analyzed by colony forming assay, and the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to evaluate biofilm formation and cell adhesion. The morphology and roughness of PMMA acrylic resin surface was measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and stylus method. RESULTS: Clene®, Polident® and 3% NaHCO(3) solutions showed significantly greater antifungal effects in terms of both inhibiting growth and biofilm formation. In addition, Clene® solution prevented adhesion of C. albicans on cell culture plates compared to filter-sterile tap water, whereas other reagents did not have an inhibitory effect. One-month immersion in the different cleaning reagents significantly inhibited fungal adhesion on the PMMA surface Clene®, Polident® and 3% NaHCO(3) showed greater effect compared to PBS and filter-sterile tap water. Finally, none of the cleansing agents significantly affected the morphology and roughness of the PMMA surface. CONCLUSION: Clene®, Polident® and 3% NaHCO(3) solutions can inhibit C. albicans growth and biofilm formation to some extent on cell culture plates, and significantly inhibit fungal adhesion on the PMMA surface without affecting surface morphology and roughness.