Effect of ozonized olive oil on oral levels of Candida spp. in patients with denture stomatitis
<p><strong>Objective</strong>: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ozonized oil (OZ) on the oral levels of <em>Candida </em>spp. in patients with denture stomatitis. <strong>Material and Methods</strong>: In vitro tests were performed to validate antifungal activity and to standardize OZ conditions. Antifungal activity was screened against <em>C. albicans </em>and five non-<em>albicans </em>species (<em>C. tropicalis, C. dubliniensis, C. krusei, C. guilliermondii,</em> and <em>C. parapsilosis</em>). Also, the effects on <em>C. albicans </em>planktonic and biofilm were evaluated. After validation, OZ was included in a therapeutic protocol of denture stomatitis in vivo. Thirty patients used OZ and 20 used sodium bicarbonate (SB) for 14 days. After 7 and 14 days, clinical evaluation, isolation and identification of yeasts were performed. Isolates were identified by phenotypic and genotypic tests. Ozonized oil showed in vitro antifungal activity against all species of <em>Candida</em>. Ozonized oil reduced the number of viable cells in <em>C. albicans </em>biofilms. Oral candidal levels were lower in relation to baseline both after after 14 days of treatment with SB and OZ. <strong>Results</strong>: A total of 493 <em>Candida </em>spp. isolates was obtained and 80% were identified as <em>C. albicans</em>. Remission of denture stomatitis was observed in all patients after 7 days of treatment in both groups. <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Within the limits of the study we can conclude that ozonized olive oil can be a new alternative for the control of biofilm in patients with denture stomatitis.</p><p align="left"> </p><p><strong>Keywords<em></em></strong></p><p>Ozone; <em>Candida</em>; Antifungal Agents; Stomatitis; Denture.</p><p> </p>