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A biofilm composed of various microorganisms including Candida is found on denture surfaces and is likely to be involved in the etiology of denture-induced stomatitis. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of hydrophobic interactions in candidal adherence to acrylic surfaces, particularly that of the hyphal form of Candida albicans. Candida clinical isolates were used. Acrylic plates coated with carrageenan and hydrocolloid (Hitachi chemical, Tokyo, Japan) were used as a hydrophilic substratum. A microbial suspension was placed on each acrylic plate and incubated. All plates were washed in phosphate-buffered saline containing CaCl(2) and MgCl(2) [PBS (+)] and cells still adhering to the acrylic surface were collected by 0.25% trypsin treatment. Cell-surface hydrophobicity was estimated using a modification of the technique used to measure adherence to hydrocarbons. When the acrylic plates were coated with hydrophilic materials, the adherence of hydrophobic clinical isolates of Candida and the hydrophobic hyphal C. albicans decreased, whereas the adherence of non-hydrophobic Candida was not affected or increased. We suggest that hydrophilic coating of denture surfaces could be a potent method for reduction of the adherence of relatively hydrophobic fungal cells, particularly hyphal C. albicans, which causes denture stomatitis and related infections.

Purpose: Preliminarily to examine the efficacy of miconazole gel at inhibiting colonization of Candida species in overdenture wearers., Methods: The subjects were 26 overdenture wearers. Miconazole gel was used with the following directions: group A was prescribed miconazole gel 1.5 g 4 times daily for 1 week, group B was prescribed miconazole gel 0.5 g 4 times daily for 1 week. As a screening test, Candida species were examined in denture plaque, dental plaque, and pharyngeal mucosa. The number of Candida species, total bacteria, and oral streptococci were counted before and after application of miconazole gel to Candida-positive subjects., Results: Candida species were detected in 18 of 26 subjects and high incidence was found around the abutments under the denture base. All Candida species were sensitive to miconazole gel. Miconazole gel was applied to 13 subjects. The number of Candida was reduced after 1-week use of miconazole gel with few side effects during the application., Conclusion: It is suggested that miconazole gel will be an effective and safe method for oral care and denture plaque control in overdenture wearers.