The influence of surface roughness on the retention of candida albicans to denture base acrylic resins – an in vitro study

Background: The adherence of Candida albicans to host cells or polymers such as denture acrylic resin is an essential and necessary first step in successful colonization and the development of pathogenesis and infection. A denture may then function as a reservoir of infection and surface irregularities can increase the adherence of microorganisms even after adequate hygiene measures. Aim and Objectives: To compare and evaluate the adhesion of Candida albicans on heat polymerized polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base resin with three different surface finishes. Materials and method: To evaluate and compare adherence of Candida albicans on three different surface finishes of PMMA. Two commercial brands namely, Trevalon (Dentsply; Gurgaon, India), DPI (Dental Products of India; Mumbai, India) and a reference strain of Candida albicans (ATCC 60193) was used for this experimental purpose. Viable and adherence assay methods were used to evaluate this adherence. Results: The results of this study confirm earlier work which demonstrated that increased surface roughness increased retention of yeast on PMMA surfaces. The results obtained by adherence assay revealed results similar to the viable assay with higher adherence of Candida albicans to rough surface as compared to the polished surface. Conclusion: Surface finished with tungsten carbide bur had the maximum roughness and adherence of Candida albicans to its surface was the highest. DPI acrylic denture base material had less number of adherent Candida albicans cells to its surface with similar finish than that of Trevalon.