Antimicrobial surface processing of polymethyl methacrylate denture base resin using a novel silica-based coating technology.

Objectives: This study investigated the surface characteristics of denture base resin coatings prepared using a novel silica-based film containing hinokitiol and assessed the effect of this coating on Candida albicans adhesion and growth.

Methods: Silica-based coating solutions (control solution; CS) and CS containing hinokitiol (CS-H) were prepared. C. albicans biofilm formed on denture base specimens coated with each solution and these uncoated specimens (control) were analyzed using colony-forming unit (CFU) assay, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Specimen surfaces were analyzed by measuring the surface roughness and wettability and with Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H NMR). Stability of coated specimens was assessed via immersion in water for 1 week for each group (control-1w, CS-1w, and CS-H-1w) followed by CFU assay, measurement of surface roughness and wettability, and FT-IR.

Results: CS-H and CS-H-1w contained significantly lower CFUs than those present in the control and control-1w, which was also confirmed via SEM. Fluorescence microscopy from the CS-H group identified several dead cells. The values of surface roughness from coating groups were significantly less than those from the control and control-1w. The surface wettability from all coating groups exhibited high hydrophobicity. FT-IR analyses demonstrated that specimens were successfully coated, and H NMR analyses showed that hinokitiol was incorporated inside CS-H.

Conclusions: A silica-based denture coating that incorporates hinokitiol inhibits C. albicans growth on denture.

Clinical Relevance: We provide a novel antifungal denture coating which can be helpful for the treatment of denture stomatitis.