Efficacy of Anti-Fungal Agents Incorporated in Tissue Conditioners in Inhibiting the Growth of Candida albicans

BACKGROUND Chronic atrophic candidiasis is an inflammation of the oral cavity. Because of the diverse possible origins of denture stomatitis, several treatment procedures are used, like antifungal therapy, correction of ill-fitting dentures and effective plaque control. Tissue conditioners (porous in nature, tend to harbor bacteria) have been used to enhance adaptation of the removable denture prosthesis and aid in recovery of denture bearing tissues. A lot of complete denture wearers, owing to their age, lack the manual dexterity to maintain adequate denture hygiene. Incorporating antifungal agents in tissue conditioners may be a useful method of drug delivery to overcome the above-mentioned obstacles for effective treatment. This in vitro study tests the efficacy of 2 antifungal drugs, fluconazole and ketoconazole incorporated in 2 tissue conditioners (Viscogel and GC Soft) in inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans. METHODS This is an experimental study of two antifungal agents (fluconazole and ketoconazole) in powdered form which were incorporated into powder of the tissue conditioner in a specific concentration and tested against a culture of Candida albicans. The mixed tissue conditioner was injected into 6 mm diameter holes, punched in the plates of the culture medium. Then the plates were incubated and the inhibition diameter for each sample was measured after 24 hrs. Readings were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS Controls did not show any zone of inhibition. GC Soft with ketoconazole combination had a mean of 27.97 mm; GC Soft with fluconazole showed a mean of 25.97. The combination of Viscogel with ketoconazole showed a mean diameter of inhibition of 26.07 mm; the combination of Viscogel and fluconazole showed a mean of 27.33 mm and was non-significant. CONCLUSIONS There was no inhibition of Candida albicans observed in Viscogel and GC Soft controls. The antifungal agents ketoconazole and fluconazole combined with Viscogel and GC soft showed definite zone of inhibition indicating positive inhibitory effect on Candida albicans.