Influence of the use of a denture adhesive on salivary cells and candidal activity: A randomized clinical trial

Complete denture movement is inevitable and leads to mechanical irritation. Additional retention such as with adhesives can reduce mechanical irritation by reducing the denture movement but may be a chemical irritant. Whether these irritations can have an adverse effect on the salivary cells and oral infections is unclear.

The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of complete denture retention, with or without a denture adhesive, on salivary cellular changes and Candida albicans activity MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty healthy, nonanemic, completely edentulous, male and female participants, between 40 and 60 years old were enrolled and randomly allocated into 2 equal groups. In one group, participants received conventional complete dentures without an adhesive. In the other group, participants received conventional complete dentures with an adhesive (Corega Super; GlaxoSmithKline). Saliva samples were collected in sterile containers for both groups before denture insertion, 1 month after insertion, and 3 months after insertion. Exfoliated squamous cells were examined regarding nuclear size (nuclear/cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio), chromatin distribution, regularity of nuclear membrane, prominent nucleolus, nuclear bi- or multinucleation, and Candida albicans count.

After 1 month and after 3 months in the group without an adhesive, no change was seen in the histological composition. However, in the group with an adhesive at 1 month after insertion, superficial and intermediate squamous cells were seen, with occasional reactive nuclear changes, showing enlarged nuclei and moderate inflammation polymorph nuclear leukocytes (PNLs). At 3 months after insertion, superficial and intermediate squamous cells were seen, with remarkable reactive nuclear changes, showing enlarged nuclei, binucleation, prominent nucleoli, and marked inflammation (PNLs).

Provision of a complete denture did not alter the salivary cells; however, the use of a denture adhesive can lead to inflammatory responses of the salivary cells.