In Vitro Antifungal Activity against OralCandidaSpecies Using a Denture Base Coated with Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

Although oralCandidaeasily adheres to denture base materials, many denture detergents are effective only against bacteria but not againstCandida. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which are known to have potent antibacterial and antifungal activity, have been used in the prevention of oral candidiasis (OC). We evaluated the adherence ofCandida albicansandCandida glabrataon a heat-cured Acron resin piece supported by AgNPs by low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and measuring colony-forming units.C. albicansandC. glabrataincreasingly adhered to the resin surface of the control piece over time, but the adhesion AgNP of bothCandidaspecies to the AgNP-coated surface was significantly inhibited (P<0.001). Low-vacuum SEM revealed thatC. albicansandC. glabrataon the resin surface of control pieces appeared as oval colonies, with a major axis of 3-4 μm and a smooth cell wall, but those on the AgNP-coated resin surface were less abundant than the control and showed swollen yeast features, with a major axis of more than 5 μm and a corrugated cell wall. Our results suggest a way to prevent denture-associated OC by using denture base materials processed by AgNPs.