[Candida colonization on the surface of orthodontic brackets and the adhesion of these strains to buccal epithelial cells].

Many types and numbers of microorganisms may be colonized in the oral cavity. Candida albicans is the most frequently isolated fungal species which colonizes oral mucosal cells Denture prostheses play an important role by increasing the risk of colonization. In this study, Candida colonization and adhesion rates have been investigated among 60 orthodontic bracket users (mean age: 17.8 years), and 15 (25%) of them were found to be colonized by Candida species (13 C. albicans, 1 C. kefyr, 1 C. lusitaniae). Fourteen of 15 subjects (93.3%) were between 16-18 years old. All the isolates were exposed with buccal epithelial cells in-vitro, and the adhesion rate was found to be 12%. The adhesion activity was detected only in C. albicans strains.