Biology and Medicine

Abstract

The Effects of Prosthetic Treatment on Oral Candidiasis

Noriyuki Hoshi, Yusuke Arai, Norishige Kawanishi, Tomonari Kumasaka, Kinya Tanaka and Katsuhiko Kimoto

Background: Oral candidiasis is known as an infection that not only causes various oral symptoms but also affects the entire body. Since salivary flow is involved, we investigated whether the improvement of salivary flow by denture treatment could counteract the symptoms of oral candidiasis. Methods: The study population consisted of 46 denture-wearing patients (mean age: 74.8 ± 2.2 years) who were examined at Kanagawa Dental University Hospital. We tested Candida, salivary flow measurement, oral symptom confirmation, and masticatory performance, and conducted denture treatment. We compared test results with measurements taken after completion of the denture treatment. Results: The individuals in whom candida was present exhibited significantly decreased salivary flow during both rest and stimulation. In addition, they exhibited several oral symptoms along with decreased masticatory performance. However, after completion of denture treatment, all test items improved and the causative organism disappeared. Conclusions: Patients in whom candida was present exhibited several oral symptoms, likely because poorly fitting dentures led to decreased masticatory performance; thus, decreasing the salivary flow. Denture treatment led to improved salivary flow, decreased levels of candida, and the disappearance of oral symptoms. These results suggest that denture treatment could be a means of treating oral candidiasis that is thought to be caused by masticatory dysfunction due to poorly fitting dentures.