Abstract
Purpose: This study investigated the adhesion of Candida to silicone soft lining materials.
Methods: Three kinds of silicone soft lining samples (GC, PF, SR) were used. Each sample was divided into two groups. The first group was an intact test piece. The second group had a rough surface, a part of which had been removed with a surgical knife. To determine the adherence of saliva to the surface, test samples were placed in filtrated saliva for 5 hours, 1 day, 3 days, and 5 days. After removal from the saliva, the samples were stained with toluidine blue. To determine the adhesion of Candida to the samples, the samples were placed in three different mediums (tryptic soy broth, filtrated saliva, and saliva diluted with saline) containing Candida for 5 hours, 1 day, 3 days, and 5 days. After removal from the medium, the samples were carefully washed in running water, then stained with toluidine blue.
Results: The samples showed that the saliva was deposited on the surface of all samples. All samples placed in each medium showed that yeast-type Candida initially adhered to the surface even if mycelial-type Candida was contained in the medium. The volume of fungus on each sample increased with time. In all samples, the volume of Candida adhering to the roughened surface was conspicuously greater than that adhering to the smooth surface.
Conclusions: The results suggest that the adherence of Candida to silicone soft lining material is not dependent on the presence of saliva. However, the presence of saliva facilitates Candida adherence to silicone soft lining material. The results also show that the yeast type is dominant at the initial stage of adherence to the material. Additionally, the adherence of Candida to the soft lining material is greatly affected by roughness.
