Reduction of Candida biofilm adhesion by incorporation of prereacted glass ionomer filler in denture base resin.

Objectives: This study investigated the influence of surface reaction-type prereacted glass ionomer (S-PRG) fillers on Candida albicans adhesion on denture base resin.

Methods: Discs were prepared by incorporating the S-PRG filler into the polymer powder of a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-based, heat-polymerizing resin at 0 (control), 5%, 10%, and 20% (w/w). The surface roughness of all disc surfaces was measured. Elemental analysis of released Na(+), Sr(2+), SiO3(2-), Al(3-), BO3(3-), and F(-) was performed after water immersion. Each disc was placed in a well with artificial saliva to form acquired pellicle, incubated, washed with phosphate-buffered saline, and immersed in a C. albicans (JCM2085) cell suspension standardized at 10(4) cells/ml. After aerobic incubation at 37 °C for 24 h, the metabolic mitochondrial activity, total biofilm biomass, and biofilm thickness were evaluated. The morphogenetic transition of C. albicans in the early culture stage (1 and 3 h) was observed.

Results: There was a slight but significant increase in the surface roughness with an increase in the filler content. The metabolic activity and total biomass volume were significantly lower in all filler groups than in the control group, although there were no significant differences among the filler groups. Groups with at least 5% filler content exhibited a thinner biofilm compared with the control group. All filler groups showed hyphal forms at 3 h, with the length of the hyphae being lesser than those in the control group.

Conclusions: Although the incorporation of S-PRG filler slightly increases the surface roughness of denture base resin, it reduces the adhesion of C. albicans.

Clinical Significance: The S-PRG filler has the potential to reduce Candida albicans adhesion on denture base resin and may lower the risk of denture stomatitis. However, filler incorporation can increase the surface roughness of heat-polymerizing denture base resin.