Influence of surface free energy of denture base and liner materials on Candida albicans biofilms.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of surface free energy (SFE) of denture base and liner materials on Candida albicans biofilm development.

Methods: Discs were fabricated using poly(methyl methacrylate) acrylic resin and poly(ethyl methacrylate) denture liner, according to the manufacturers' instructions. For SFE test, discs were pellicle-coated with saliva alone, saliva + blood plasma, or blood plasma alone. Candida albicans biofilms were allowed to form on pellicle-coated discs for 48 h. Biofilms were evaluated for cell counts, metabolic activity, and structural characteristics at adhesion phase (after 1.5 h of development) and at biofilm maturity (after 48 h of development). Data were analyzed by anova and Tukey tests using a significance level of 5%.

Results: Saliva + blood plasma pellicles had a higher SFE compared to pellicles of saliva or blood plasma alone (P < 0.001). Differences in SFE by pellicle-coating did not affect the cell counts, metabolic activity, or structure at the adhesion phase (P > 0.05). In contrast, the presence of blood plasma resulted in higher cell counts, biovolume, and thickness of mature biofilms on both materials (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Increases in SFE from pellicle-coating leads to robust mature C. albicans biofilms on both denture materials.