Incorporation of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) - cerium (Ce) nanofibers in acrylic resin for dental prostheses: evaluation of physical-mechanical properties, biocompatibility and antifungal activity against Candida albicans

Abstract

Partial and complete dentures composed of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) acrylic resin are widely used for the aesthetic and functional rehabilitation of edentulous patients. However, the micropores present in the material favors the Candida spp. colonization, especially Candida albicans, a commensal and opportunistic fungal species frequently associated with the development of denture stomatitis (DS), which is the most common form of oral candidiasis found in humans and most common oral lesion in the elderly. The formation of C. albicans biofilm on the intaglio surfaces of removable prostheses is considered as one of the main reasons for the failure of conventional topical and systemic antifungal therapies, leading to high rates of clinical relapse and post-treatment recurrence. Therefore, alternative strategies have been developed to minimize colonization by C. albicans and, consequently, formation of denture biofilms, preventing the development of EP. In this context, PMMA-cerium nanofibers have shown to be an interesting option, especially when incorporated into the PMMA matrix, since its addition may confer improvements on the material's physical-mechanical properties, and it has been suggested that they have potential antifungal activity. Thus, the aim of the present study is: a) to synthesize PMMA-cerium nanofibers by the solution blow spinning (SBS) technique, and sequentially characterize them; b) to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of nanofibers against C. albicans adhesion and biofilm; c) to determine the physical-mechanical properties of the modified resin obtained by assessing Knoop hardness, flexural strength, contact angle, surface free energy, surface roughness and color analysis; d) evaluate the in vitro citotoxicity of the material. Data will be analyzed by inferential and descriptive statistics with comparative and statistical approaches. It is expected that a new product, commercially and clinically applicable, will be obtained, with improved physical-mechanical properties and biocompatibility with the oral tissues, while being efficient against the colonization and formation of fungal biofilm on denture bases, and to be viable as a method of preventing the DS.