A 2-year study of Candida-associated denture stomatitis treatment in aged care subjects

OBJECTIVE

To test the efficacy of two methods of treatment for denture stomatitis in aged care institutions.

BACKGROUND DATA

Candida-associated denture stomatitis has been associated with a lack of denture hygiene.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty subjects with denture stomatitis were randomly divided into three groups: sodium hypochlorite denture soak, microwaving and control. Both methods of treatment were carried out on a nightly basis for 1 week, excepting the control group. Standardised photographs of the palate and microbial samples of palate, upper and lower dentures were taken before and after treatment.

RESULTS

Both hypochlorite and microwave irradiation significantly reduced the numbers of Candida and aerobic bacteria on both dentures and both methods significantly reduced Candida on the palate. However, palatal aerobic bacteria were not significantly reduced by either method and the controls showed insignificant changes at all three sites for both Candida and aerobes.

CONCLUSION

While both methods of denture disinfection were successful, except for the counts of palatal aerobic bacteria, three independent observers of the clinical photographs had difficulty in identifying the controls but were more successful with the treatments. The raters also showed that there was no difference between both methods of disinfection and this agreed with the microbiological analysis.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on Candida albicans growth in patients with denture stomatitis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our report is to present the effect of low-level laser therapy on Candida albicans growth and palatal inflammation in two patients with denture stomatitis.

BACKGROUND DATA

The most common oral mucosal disorder in denture wearers is denture stomatitis, a condition that is usually associated with the presence of the yeast Candida albicans. Different treatment methods have been suggested to treat this symptom, none of which is proven to be absolutely effective.

METHODS

Two denture-wearing patients, both with palatal inflammation diagnosed as Newton type II denture stomatitis were treated with low-power semiconductor diode laser (BTL-2000, Prague, Czech Republic) at different wavelengths (685 and 830 nm) for 5 d consecutively. In both patients, palatal mucosa and acrylic denture base were irradiated in noncontact mode (probe distance of 0.5 cm from irradiated area) with different exposure times-5 min (830 nm, 3.0 J/cm2, 60 mW) and 10 min (685 nm, 3.0 J/cm2, 30 mW). The effect of laser light on fungal growth in vivo was evaluated after the final treatment using the swab method and semiquantitative estimation of Candida albicans colonies growth on agar plates. The severity of inflammation was evaluated using clinical criteria.

RESULTS

After lowlevel laser treatment, the reduction of yeast colonies on the agar plates was observed and palatal inflammation was diminished.

CONCLUSION

LLLT is effective in the treatment of denture stomatitis. Further placebo controlled studies are in progress.