Colonization of silicone-based soft lining materials by pathogenic yeast-type fungi is a common problem associated with the use of dentures. In this study, silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate (SSHZP) was introduced into polydimethylsiloxane-based material as an antimicrobial filler at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14% (w/w). The in vitro antimicrobial efficacy was investigated. Candida albicans was used as a characteristic representative of pathogenic oral microflora. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were used as the typical Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, respectively. The effect of filler addition on the Shore A hardness, tensile strength, tensile bond strength, sorption, and solubility was investigated. An increase in the filler concentration resulted in an increase in hardness, sorption, and solubility, and for the highest concentration, a decrease in bond strength. The favorable combination of antimicrobial efficacy with other properties was achieved at filler concentrations ranging from 2% to 10%. These composites exhibited mechanical properties similar to the material without the antimicrobial filler and enhanced in vitro antimicrobial efficiency.
Keywords: Candida albicans; antimicrobial properties; denture; mechanical properties; silver; soft lining; solubility; sorption.