Formation of Candida albicans biofilms on non-shedding oral surfaces

The aim of this investigation was to determine the ability of Candida albicans to form biofilms on enamel, dentine and denture acrylic of various surface roughnesses. Biofilms of C. albicans were grown on various materials in a constant depth film fermenter (CDFF) and maintained with artificial saliva. Enamel, dentine and denture acrylic were prepared to the same surface roughness using silicon carbide grit. In a separate experiment, denture acrylic was prepared to different surface roughnesses. At various intervals, the materials were removed from the CDFF, the biofilms disrupted and the number of yeast and hyphae present determined. The total number of yeast cells present on enamel was higher than either dentine or acrylic. The highest numbers of yeast cells were found on the roughest surfaces at 6 h; however, higher numbers of hyphae were found on enamel at 6 h and 24 h. Confocal laser scanning microscopy images revealed that the maturation of biofilms on denture acrylic may be dependent upon hyphal cells. The results of the present study show that both the type of surface and their roughness affect the initial formation and subsequent structure of developing of C. albicans biofilms.