Current treatment protocols for patients diagnosed with denture stomatitis are under scrutiny, and alternative options are being explored by researchers. The aim of this systematic review was to determine if silver nanoparticles inhibit the growth of Candida albicans, and the research question addressed was: In adults, do silver nanoparticles inhibit the growth of Candida albicans in acrylic dentures and denture liners compared to normal treatment options. A systematic review was the chosen methodology, and criteria were formulated to include all types of studies, including clinical and laboratory designs where the aim was tested. Of the 18 included studies, only one was a clinical trial, and 17 were in vitro research. The inhibition of candidal growth was based on the % concentration of AgNPs included within the denture acrylic and denture liner. As the % AgNPs increased, candida growth was reduced. This was reported as a reduction of candidal colony forming units in the studies. The quality of the included studies was mostly acceptable, as seen from the structured and validated assessments completed.
Keywords: Candida albicans; colony forming units; denture stomatitis; dentures and denture liners; silver nanoparticles.