Anti candidal efficacy of commercially available triphala, neem, denture cleanser and natural aloevera leaf on heat polymerized acrylic resin

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the anticandidal efficacy of Triphala, aloe vera, Neem, and denture cleanser on heat polymerized acrylic resin. SETTINGS AND DESIGNS: In vitro - experimental study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, forty denture wearer patients were selected and were divided into four groups consisting of ten patients, namely, Group I, Group II, Group III, and Group IV, in which dentures were cleansed with denture cleanser (tablets), Triphala (churna), aloe vera (leaf), and Neem (tablets), respectively, and stored in copper containers. Swabs were collected from the dentures before and after the use of Denture cleanser, Triphala, aloe vera, and Neem. Thereafter, the swabs were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and the total Candida counts (CFU/4 cm(2)) were determined. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: One way ANOVA and Tukeys HSD post hoc test were used. RESULTS: The pre- to post-reduction in mean Candida count was found highest in Denture cleanser followed by Neem, Triphala, and aloe vera. Further, both Denture cleaner and Neem showed statistically significant reduction (P < 0.001) in the mean Candida count when compared to Triphala and aloe vera. However, reduction in the mean Candida count of both Denture cleanser and Neem was found statistically similar (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The anticandidal efficacy of denture cleanser was found to be the highest. The cost-effective Neem can be used as anticandidal modality in place of denture cleanser.