Functionalized Denture Resins as Drug Delivery Biomaterials to Control Fungal Biofilms

Colonization and biofilm-formation of Candida species on denture surfaces cause Candida-associated denture stomatitis (CADS), a recurring fungal infection that affects up to 67% of denture wearers. We grafted poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) onto poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based denture resins through plasma-initiated grafting polymerization. The effects of reaction conditions on grafting and the physical properties of the resulting resins were evaluated. The grafted resins showed significantly increased drug binding capability toward clotrimazole, one of the most widely used antifungal drugs. The mechanisms for the enhancement in drug binding were discussed. The new clotrimazole-containing resins provided sustained drug release for longer than 28 days, and the released drugs demonstrated potent, long-term biofilm-controlling effects against Candida, pointing to an attractive strategy in controlling CADS and related fungal infections.