Candida albicans: Colonization, role and effects of this opportunistic pathogen on orthodontic appliances

Candida albicans is a commensal yeast that is normally present in the oral cavity of the population. This opportunistic pathogen is frequently isolated from the human mouth but its presence in the oral cavity is not indicative of disease. Colonization of the oral cavity by Candida albicans involves the acquisition and maintenance of a stable yeast population. Micro-organisms are continually being removed from the oral cavity by host clearance mechanisms, and so, in order to survive and inhabit this eco-system, Candida albicans cells have to adhere and replicate. Orthodontic and other oral appliances seem to favor candidal presence. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature, with specific attention to colonization, intra-oral density of the candidal organisms and Candida carriage status in orthodontic patients during treatment.