Biofilm Formation on Denture Base Material Reinforced With a Novel Organic Material

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a novel organic material developed by one of the authors in this study. When MCC was incorporated with conventionally available denture base resin, it demonstrated increased flexural strength and flexural modulus. However, it was speculated that because the material is organic, it can promote the growth of Candida. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Candida albicans biofilm formation on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base resin incorporated with MCC.

MCC is an organic material extracted from the oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB). The growth of C. albicans and biofilm formation in three test groups were compared by biofilm assay and imaging techniques like microscopy (by safranin staining) and scanning electron microscopy. The three test groups were comprised of MCC-reinforced PMMA containing OPEFB fibers of 50-micrometer thickness at 5% weight reinforcement, conventionally and commercially available heat cure PMMA, and an empty well to assess any discrepancies from the environment.

The test groups showed increased biofilm formation by C. albicans compared to commercially and conventionally available heat cure PMMA. Reinforcement with MCC showed higher biofilm formation of 1.43 times higher compared to conventional PMMA. Biofilms formed by Candida albicans on MCC-reinforced PMMA appeared heterogeneous in structure, comprised of yeast cells and hyphae, surrounded by a higher density of polysaccharide extracellular matrix material compared to that of conventionally available heat cure PMMA.

Biofilm formation is increased in denture base resin incorporated with MCC. More investigation is warranted to study the antifungal efficacy of the addition of antifungal agents to the reinforced denture base resin.