Influence of Denture Base Fabrication on Candida albicans Adhesion and Early Biofilm: An In Vitro Comparison of Five Techniques

Background/Objectives: Denture stomatitis is closely associated with Candida albicans colonization of denture-base surfaces. This in vitro study compared early adhesion (1 h) and initial biofilm formation (24 h) of C. albicans across five denture-base-related material groups using adhered cell counts and adhered/inoculum proportions. Methods: A 5 × 2 factorial design (five material groups; 1 and 24 h) evaluated a comparator pattern resin, heat-polymerized acrylic resin, autopolymerizing acrylic resin, milled CAD/CAM PMMA, and microwave-polymerized acrylic resin. All specimens underwent standardized finishing and mechanical polishing before microbiological testing. Data were log10-transformed and analyzed by two-way ANOVA (material group, time) with Tukey’s post hoc test. An external SEM-based qualitative laboratory report was used as complementary documentation of C. albicans presence after 1 h and 24 h; representative micrographs and quantitative SEM image outputs were unavailable. Results: Material group, time, and their interaction significantly affected adhered C. albicans counts (p < 0.05). At 1 h, the comparator pattern resin showed the highest adhesion, whereas at 24 h, milled CAD/CAM PMMA showed the highest adhered load. For the adhered/inoculum fraction, both material group and time were significant; at 24 h, the heat-polymerized acrylic resin showed the lowest adhered fraction. Conclusions: Under the standardized finishing and mechanical polishing conditions of this in vitro model, the tested material groups showed different C. albicans adhesion/biofilm patterns over time; clinical extrapolation should be made with caution.