The effect of two artificial salivas on the adhesion of Candida albicans to heat-polymerized acrylic resin.
OBJECTIVE
Xerostomia can diminish the quality of life, leads to changes in normal chemical composition of saliva and oral microbiata, and increases the risk for opportunistic infections, such as Candida albicans. Various artificial salivas have been considered for patients with xerostomia. However, the knowledge on the antifungal and antiadhesive activity of artificial saliva substitutes is limited. The aim of the present study was to evaluate influence of two artificial salivas on the adhesion of Candida albicans to the polymethylmethacrylate disc specimens.


METHODS
Two commercial artificial salivas (Saliva Orthana and Biotene Oral Balance Gel) were selected. 45 polymethylmethacrylate disc specimens were prepared and randomly allocated into 3 groups; Saliva Orthana, Biotene-Oral Balance gel and distilled water. Specimens were stored in the artificial saliva or in the sterile distilled water for 60 minutes at 37℃. Then they were exposed to yeast suspensions including Candida albicans. Yeast cells were counted using ×40 magnification under a light microscope and data were analysed.


RESULTS
Analysis of data indicated statistically significant difference in adhesion of Candida albicans among all experimental groups (P=.000). Findings indicated that Saliva Orthana had higher adhesion scores than the Biotene Oral Balance gel and distilled water (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In comparison of Saliva Orthana, the use of Biotene Oral Balance Gel including lysozyme, lactoferrin and peroxidase may be an appropriate treatment method to prevent of adhesion of Candida albicans and related infections in patients with xerostomia.
Department of Prosthodontics, Tepebasi Oral and Dental Health Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Burcin
0000-0002-7895-2939
B
Oncul
Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
Duygu
0000-0001-9976-8797
D
Karakis
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
Funda
0000-0002-9118-3935
F
Dogruman Al
Artificial Saliva; Candida albicans; Xerostomia