Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tissue conditioners play a vital role in managing denture stomatitis, but alone may not inhibit Candida albicans, the primary causative organism. Plant-derived agents, like p-Cymene and Triphala, offer antimicrobial benefits with lower resistance risks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two samples (n = 14 per group) were divided into Control, p-Cymene, and Triphala groups. Antifungal efficacy was tested via agar diffusion at 24 hours and four days. Hardness, tensile strength, and water sorption were evaluated on day 4. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Paired t-test assessed changes over time; one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD were used for intergroup comparisons. RESULTS: Triphala showed the highest antifungal activity at both time points. The control group had the greatest hardness, while tensile strength improved slightly in the Triphala group. Water sorption was lowest in the control group. CONCLUSION: Incorporation of p-Cymene and Triphala enhanced antifungal efficacy of tissue conditioners, with Triphala being superior, and maintained acceptable mechanical properties.