In vitro assessment of the antifungal effects of neem powder added to polymethyl methacrylate denture base material.

BACKGROUND

Denture with antimicrobial activities is desirable to prevent adhesion subsequently decreasing the susceptibility of denture stomatitis incidence. , commonly known as Neem powder has antimicrobial effect but the effect of its addition to acrylic denture base on adhesion has not been investigated. The aim of this study was determine whether adding neem powder to acrylic denture base materials could reduce adhesion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty acrylic resin denture specimens were fabricated and divided into heat-polymerized (n=60) and auto-polymerized (n=60) groups. Each group was further divided into 6 groups (n=10) based on the neem concentration: 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 wt% of the polymer. After polymerization, the specimens were polished, stored in distilled water, sonicated, sterilized, submerged in artificial saliva containing C. albicans, and finally, placed in an incubator at 37°C. Slide counting and direct culture methods were used to assess the antifungal effects of the neem addition. An analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey's test were performed for the data analysis (≤0.05 was statistically significant).

RESULTS

Based on the results, the neem addition significantly decreased the count when compared to the control group (≤0.05). Moreover, the count decreased as the neem concentration increased (lowest count with 2.5 wt%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that adding neem powder to acrylic resin denture base materials reduces the adhesion of ; therefore, the incorporation of neem could be a possible denture stomatitis prevention method. Denture stomatitis, Candida albicans, Azadirachta indica, neem powder, denture base.