Antifungal Strategies in Denture Materials
Summary
Denture‐related fungal infections, most notably chronic atrophic candidiasis, arise when Candida species colonise the surfaces of prosthetic appliances. The acrylic resins and soft liners commonly used in denture fabrication provide micro‐irregularities and polymer porosities that favour biofilm formation, leading to inflammation, mucosal erythema and patient discomfort. Traditional management has combined mechanical cleaning, chemical disinfectants and topical antifungal agents, but the rise of antifungal resistance and the need to preserve material integrity have driven research towards intrinsic preventive measures. Current strategies under investigation include engineering surface topography and wettability to discourage initial adhesion, covalent incorporation of antimicrobial monomers or nanoparticles into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and silicone liners, and the application of adjunctive therapies such as photodynamic treatment. These approaches aim to achieve long‐lasting, contact‐active surfaces that minimise fungal proliferation without compromising biocompatibility or mechanical performance. The development of multifunctional denture materials has global significance, offering improved oral health outcomes for ageing populations and reducing reliance on systemic antifungals.
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Antifungal Strategies in Denture Materials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in antifungal strategies in denture materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Biofilm: A structured microbial community encased in an extracellular matrix that adheres to surfaces and exhibits increased resistance to antifungal agents.
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA): A transparent acrylic resin widely used for denture bases and artificial teeth due to its aesthetic and mechanical properties.
Quaternary ammonium compound: A cationic antimicrobial group that can be covalently grafted into polymer networks to provide contact-active fungicidal properties.
Surface topography: The three-dimensional micro- and nanoscale architecture of a material’s surface, which influences cell and microbial adhesion.
Photodynamic therapy: A light-activated treatment that generates reactive oxygen species to inactivate microbial cells on or within denture materials.
References
- Impact of multiscale surface topography characteristics on Candida albicans biofilm formation: From cell repellence to fungicidal activity. Acta Biomaterialia (2024).
- Effect of the Incorporation of an Innovative Monomer with a Quaternary Ammonium Group into a Temporary Soft Liner on Its Biological and Physicochemical Properties. Molecules (2025).
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