Objective: The aim was to determine the ability of several thin-film polymer formulations, with and without incorporated antifungals, to inhibit Candida albicans biofilm growth on denture material. The inhibition of C. albicans biofilms on maxillary dentures could play a significant role in preventing the development of denture stomatitis.
Study design: Low-porosity and high-porosity thin-film polymer formulations were used and one of the following fungicides was added: 1) chlorhexidine diacetate at 1.0%; 2) nystatin at 1.0%; or 3) amphotericin B at 0.1%. These coatings were placed on rectangular (12 x 10 mm) dental resin material samples. A subset of the coated dental materials were brushed to simulate denture cleaning for 1 minute per day for 1 year. Candida albicans biofilms were formed on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) specimens placed in 24-well polystyrene plates, and the extent of biofilm formation on coated and noncoated specimens was assessed using a 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfo-phenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) reduction assay.
Results: Thin-film polymer PMMA coatings alone, without an antifungal agent, produced a small significant reduction in C. albicans biofilm formation compared with control PMMA. However, incorporation of antifungal medications into the thin-film polymer reduced biofilm formation between 70% and 80% with nystatin, and between 50% and 60% with amphotericin B. Biofilm reduction with chlorhexidine (up to 98%) was significantly greater than all other formulations tested (P < .025).
Conclusion: This novel thin-film coating with various antifungals effectively inhibits C. albicans biofilm formation and should be evaluated as a potential preventive therapy for denture stomatitis.