A Study to Evaluate Candida albicans at Pre and Post Insertion Stages of Removable Dentures in Diabetics and Non Diabetics - An in Vivo Study

Introduction: A considerable proportion of the population carries detectable numbers of yeast in the mouth; very few of those people suffer from oral Candida infection. The adhesion of microorganisms (yeasts) to a denture surface is a prerequisite for colonization. Aims: The Present study was done to evaluate the presence of Candida albicans in diabetic and non-diabetic first time denture wearers at pre and post insertion stages of complete dentures and transitional acrylic removable partial dentures at varying time periods of 0, on the 15th day and on the 30th day of insertion of removable dentures. Materials and Methods: Twenty completely edentulous and twenty partially edentulous patients aged between 50 to 70 years were selected. Each group constituted of 10 diabetic and 10 non diabetic patients. The following parameters were recorded at the appropriate time: fasting blood glucose and post prandial blood glucose. The culture swabs were taken and were inoculated on to Sabourauds dextrose agar medium, incubated and then subjected to evaluation of Candida albicans. Results: There was no evident growth of Candida albicans species in both complete denture and partial denture wearers irrespective of their diabetic status for the study period of 30 days. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that elderly diabetic patients who were first time transitional acrylic removable partial denture wearers were more susceptible to Candidial infections than the elderly non diabetic partial denture wearers.