Candida-associated denture stomatitis

ABSTRACT

Candida albicans is a dimorphic yeast strongly gram positive able to live as normal commensal organism in theoral cavity of healthy people. It is the yeast more frequently isolated in the oral cavity. Under local and systemicfactors related to the host conditions, it becomes virulent and responsible of oral diseases known as oral candidiasis.It has been shown that the presence of denture is a predisposing factor to the onset of pathologies related toC. albicans. Clinical studies have shown that C. albicans is not only able to adhere to the mucous surfaces, but alsoto stick to the acrylic resins of the dental prostheses. Both the plaque accumulated on the denture and the poororal hygiene contribute to the virulence of Candida, offering the clinical picture of Candida-associated denturestomatitis. The therapeutic strategies currently adopted in the clinical practice to overcome these fungal infectionsprovide for the use of topical and/or systemic antifungal and topical antiseptics and disinfectants, the irradiationwith microwaves and the accurate mechanical removal of the bacterial plaque from the denture surfaces and fromthe underlying mucosa. A correct oral hygiene is important for the control of the bacterial biofilm present on thedenture and on the oral mucosa and it is the fundamental base for the prophylaxis and the therapy of the Candidaassociateddenture stomatitis (AU)