Effect of an antifungal denture liner on the saliva yeast count in patients with denture stomatitis: a pilot study

Although in vitro studies on the release of antifungal agents from tissue conditioners have been done, no in vivo research on the topic could be found. The purpose of this study was to determine the in vivo effect of an antifungal agent released from a tissue conditioner on the salivary yeast count. Forty edentulous patients with denture stomatitis caused by Candida albicans were divided in two groups. Group 1 (control) was treated with a tissue conditioner only. Group 2 was treated with a tissue conditioner incorporating 500,000 U nystatin. Oral rinses were performed by both groups before treatment and every second day during treatment for a period of 14 days. Total yeast counts of the oral rinses were performed and the averages and standard deviations for both groups calculated and logarithm-transformed data of the counts over time were statistically analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The average oral rinse yeast count of the control group decreased up to day 4. Thereafter, the count increased till the end of the test period. At day 14, the oral rinse yeast level was higher than the pre-treatment level. The average yeast count of the test group decreased up to day 7. Thereafter, the count increased but remained significantly lower (P=0.01) than the control group and did not return to its pre-treatment level. A nystatin-containing short-term denture liner significantly decreases the salivary yeast count of patients with denture stomatitis compared with a liner without nystatin.