Cold plasma-induced surface modification of heat-polymerized acrylic resin and prevention of early adherence of <i>Candida albicans </i>

Abstract

Atmospheric-pressure cold plasma was applied to process the surface of heat-polymerized acrylic resin. Changes to the physical properties and early adherence of Candida albicans were investigated. Alternating current cold plasma with Ar/O2 as working gas was used. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to study the possible mechanism. Experimental results showed that after plasma treatment, the contact angle of acrylic resin significantly decreased. There were no significant differences in roughness, flexural strength and elasticity modulus, but microhardness was significant improved in the treated group. More importantly, the early adherence of Candida albicans on the surface was reduced after plasma treatment. Cold plasma seemed to be a promising and convenient strategy of preventing the early adherence of Candida albicans on acrylic resins, which would greatly benefit potential dental applications.

Cold Physical Plasmas in the Field of Hygiene—Relevance, Significance, and Future Applications

“…Plasma may, therefore, be advantageous for the initial bio‐integration of implants . Similarly, plasma‐induced surface modification of heat‐polymerized acrylic resin can also prevent an early adherence of Candida albicans , which may be beneficial in dental applications …”

ADHERENCIA DE Candida albicans A RESINAS ACRÍLICAS Y POLIAMIDAS. ESTUDIO IN VITRO

“…El plasma frío parecía ser una estrategia prometedora y conveniente para evitar la prematura adherencia de C. albicans en resinas acrílicas, esto beneficiaría en gran medida las aplicaciones dentales (17) En un estudio realizado por Koch et al se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa en la proliferación de C. albicans según el material que se utiliza para la fabricación de bases de la dentadura (p <0,001). La adherencia del hongo no depende tanto de la polimerización de la resina.…”

“…C. albicans ha sido estudiado en dichos procesos de adhesión e importante en la patogénesis de estomatitis protésica. Además, esta adherencia se ha visto influenciada por otros factores, tales como la rugosidad de la superficie, película salival, la energía libre de la superficie y el tipo de material de la prótesis (8)(9)(10).…”

A novel cold atmospheric pressure air plasma jet for peri-implantitis treatment: An <i>in vitro</i> study

“…5 and 6). This may be caused by the cleavage of original functional groups and formation of new hydrophilic groups on the titanium surface 48) .…”