The evaluation of the amount and sustain release of antifungal agent clotrimazole incorporated in different polymer matrix in artificial saliva at a pH of 6.2.

Background: Candidiasis in the oral cavity is an opportunistic infections, the most common species involved is Candida albicans. Clotrimazole (CTZ) is the first line broad-spectrum antifungal drug that has been widely used for the prophylaxis and treatment of oral and vaginal candidiasis. It is seen that the effect of drug is better locally as compared to oral intake. The aim of the present study is to find out the quantum release of clotrimazole from the incorporated materials in the artificial salivary medium at the pH of 6.2 and to access the physical properties of the clotrimazole incorporated reliner and tissue conditioner. Methods: The antifungal clotrimazole is incorporated in two types of denture base material used for this study at 2%, 5% and 10% concentration by weight. The release of clotrimazole out of polymer matrix was studied at various pH. The main property of tensile strength of the specimen before and after the chemical release of the clotrimazole was tested. Result: Concentration was maximum on 8th day and uniformly decreased thereafter. The maximum amount of release upto 8th day was 2.52, 4.23, 9.84 mg for 2%, 5% and 10% respectively. Conclusion: Topical release of antifungal agents is more effective than systemic intake, which has adverse effect like renal toxicity and CNS toxicity.

A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Mechanical Properties of Zirconium Oxide Added Polymethyl Methacrylate by Two Different Methods at Two different Concentrations – In Vitro Study.

Background: Poly methylmethacrylate (PMMA) is one of the most commonly used denture base material. Various attempts have been used to strengthen acrylic resin by incorporating filler particles. Method: In the present study zirconium oxide is used as a filler material and a silane coupling agent is added for bonding with PMMA by two different methods that is sol gel method and functionalizing zirconium oxide with silane coupling agent. Result: The present study demonstrated a significant increase in impact strength, surface hardness as the percentage of ZrO2 fillers increased. Conclusion: From the study it was concluded that incorporation of Zirconium oxide to PMMA will increase in flexural strength, impact strength and hardness of PMMA and the mechanical property obtained by functionalizing nanoparticles method is better than sol-gel method.