title: Prevention and treatment of Candida colonization on denture liners: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Denture liners are well known for their poor physical properties that favor the accumulation of plaque and colonization by Candida species, which can irritate the oral tissues and lead to denture stomatitis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A systematic review was conducted to determine the feasibility of a prevention protocol for Candida colonization in denture liners and an effective treatment after the fungi has colonized the material.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and in vitro investigations that assessed the treatment and/or prevention of Candida colonization and biofilm formation in denture liners were selected according to the PRISMA statement. Seven electronic databases were searched from 1950 to April 2012 with the keywords "denture liner" OR "reline*" OR "tissue conditioner" AND "Candida" OR "denture stomatitis" OR "oral candidiasis" OR "antifungal agents" OR "denture clean*".
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incorporation of nystatin (in general, 500 000 units) into tissue conditioners to prevent the onset of the disease and immersion in sodium hypochlorite for disinfection were the methods most often described in this systematic review, and both methods were able to prevent or inhibit Candida colonization, depending on their concentrations. The 0.5% sodium hypochlorite concentration can disinfect tissue conditioners and denture liners. Microwave irradiation has also been described an alternative method of disinfection. Because of a lack of standardized results (especially with regard to the method used to perform microbial counts), a meta-analysis could not be performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The literature suggests that the use of 0.5% sodium hypochlorite can help disinfect denture liners and tissue conditioners. The incorporation of nystatin in those materials is also able to treat or prevent oral candidiasis. However, as most of the studies were in vitro, there is insufficient reliable evidence to truly provide recommendations regarding the ideal cleaning method or whether the addition of antifungal agents is worthwhile. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to provide answers to these questions.
authors.affiliation: Graduate student, Graduate Program in Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jovito Adiel
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Skupien
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Valentini
authors.forename: Noéli
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boscato
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pereira-Cenci
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects*; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003819:Denture Bases / Q000382:microbiology*; D003822:Denture Liners / Q000382:microbiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D013282:Stomatitis, Denture / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D019551:Dental Disinfectants