Candida albicans is a fungus that commonly infects oral mucosal surfac
es. Limited data exist on biofilm formation by C. albicans on dental s
urfaces. Human premolar teeth were infected with C. albicans for 10 da
ys and hard-tissue surfaces were examined with a scanning electron mic
roscope. Enamel, cementum and dentine, in the absence or presence of a
smear layer, were readily colonized by this micro-organism. Hyphae pe
netrated into cracks, followed the ridges of the cavities and migrated
into dentinal tubules. Blastospores and hyphae were embedded in an ex
tracellular material. These findings suggest that dental hard tissues
may be invaded by C. albicans and thus can potentially present a reser
voir for disseminating candidal infections. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science
Ltd.