In Vitro Assessment of Antifungal Property of Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Modified Heat-Cured Polymethyl Methacrylate Resin Denture Base Material After Water Storage

Objective: The study's objective was to compare the antifungal properties of conventional and 2.5wt% neem-impregnated heat-cured PMMA through an adherence assay performed after 48 hours and 30 days storage time at room temperature in distilled water. Study Design: Laboratory-based experiment. Settings: Acrylic resin specimens were prepared in the Dental Materials Laboratory, Peshawar Dental College, and their antifungal tests were performed at the Department of Microbiology, Peshawar Medical College, Peshawar Pakistan. Duration: The study was completed within six months from 01-05-2021 to 30-10-2021. Methods: For this study, a total of 20 samples were made using a stainless-steel master Mold (10 x 10 x 2mm) for the fabrication of test specimens for antifungal properties prepared according to ISO 179A1:2005 specifications. Control groups were prepared according to manufacturer instructions with no neem extract. Experimental groups were reinforced with 2.5% neem extract. The antifungal property was assessed through adherence assay. Statistical analysis was done using one-way ANOVA and Post hoc Tukey’s test. P ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: The incorporation of neem to acrylic denture base resin significantly decreased the number of colonies, as evidenced by one-way ANOVA that shows a significant result (P = 0.011). The highest number of colonies were found in the control group for 30 days of water storage followed by 48 hours of water storage samples. Conclusion: Antifungal property was significant with 2.5% neem extract, incorporated in PMMA after water storage for 48 hours and 30 days.