title: Comparative evaluation of antifungal action of tea tree oil, chlorhexidine gluconate and fluconazole on heat polymerized acrylic denture base resin - an in vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Candida albicans-associated denture stomatitis is the most common type of denture stomatitis seen in denture wearers. This study evaluates and compares the antifungal action of fluconazole, chlorhexidine gluconate and tea tree oil on heat-polymerised denture base resin, which has been previously contaminated with C. albicans grown in BHI broth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-five specimens were immersed in BHI broth previously inoculated with C. albicans and stored for 3 h at 37°C. They were divided into five groups (n = 15): G1: 2% chlorhexidine solution; G2: 100% pure pharmaceutical grade tea tree oil; G3: 65 μg/ml fluconazole solution; C1: specimens not disinfected; C2: specimens not contaminated with Candida. Each specimen was then transferred to individual tubes containing BHI broth and incubated for 24 h. Culture media turbidity was evaluated for absorbance over a period of 14 days using a microplate reader. It was observed that the lower the absorbance, the stronger the antimicrobial action. Statistical analysis was performed (two-way anova and Bonferroni test, p < 0.001).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chlorhexidine and tea tree oil inhibited Candida up to the 14th day, whereas antifungal effect of fluconazole was not significant after the 7th day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tea tree oil and chlorhexidine gluconate are more effective than fluconazole in inhibiting C. albicans growth on heat-polymerised acrylic resin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Sameen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dalwai
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Shobha J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Shrikala
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baliga
authors.affiliation: Department Of Prosthodontics, A J Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Vidya K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Shenoy
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Thilak B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Umesh Y
authors.initials: UY
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saldanha
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003819:Denture Bases / Q000382:microbiology*; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020947:Tea Tree Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D020947:Tea Tree Oil; D015725:Fluconazole; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine
keywords: Melaleuca alternifolia; Tea tree oil; denture cleansers; denture stomatitis