Mycotic growth and soft denture lining materials.

Mycotic flora was studied from the dentures and denture bearing mucosae of 39 persons who wore soft-lined (Molloplast B) mandibular dentures and heat-cured acrylic resin maxillary dentures. Fungal growth was detected in 85% of the mandibular dentures and in 44% of the maxillary dentures (p less than 0.001). On the mandibular mucosa fungal growth was revealed in 74% and on the mucosa of the maxilla in 69%. In connection with inflamed mucosae fungal growth was always detected on the mandibular denture and on the mandibular mucosa in 93% as well as on the maxillary denture in 50% and on the maxillary mucosa in 75%. Considering the healthy mandibular mucosa fungus was found in 75% on the mandibular dentures and in 62% on the mucous membranes. In connection with healthy maxillary mucosae the corresponding figures were 42% and 68%. The specimens revealed 7 different yeasts and 2 moulds. The most common fungi were Candida albicans (86%), Torulopsis glabrata (31%), and C. tropicalis (14%). The uncured Molloplast material caused a definite inhibition of candida growth in vitro, while the cured material indicated no growth inhibition.