Effect of disinfectants against C. albicans biofilms on denture material

Objectives: This study evaluated the antifungical effect of disinfectant solutions for killing and removing Candida albicans cells in biofilms on heat-polymerized acrylic resin. Methods: Heat-polymerized acrylic resin specimens were incubated with C. albicans, followed by 1 of 3 disinfection treatments: 4% chlorhexidine gluconate for 10 min, 1% sodium hypochlorite for 10 minutes and 2% sodium hypochlorite for 5 minutes. Control group specimens were soaked in distilled water for 10 min. The remaining biofilms on the specimens were analyzed by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, the remaining cells were dislodged from the specimens and colonies were counted (CFU/mL). Results: All disinfectant solutions killed all remaining fungal cells on the specimens. The 4% chlorhexidine gluconate did not remove these cells from the acrylic resin surface. However, both sodium hypochlorite solutions provided almost complete biofilm removal. Furthermore, the 1% sodium hypochlorite caused morphologic damage in the few residual Candida cells. Conclusions: It was conclude that the 1% and 2% sodium hypochlorite solutions showed superior antimicrobial effect when compared with the 4% chlorhexidine gluconate solution.