Dr. Gunjan Dhir’s Research on Denture Stomatitis and Candida
What her published research found about denture materials, Candida adhesion, and healthier dentures
Dr. Gunjan Dhir is a prosthodontist, co-founder and Chief Dental Officer of Altius Dental, and a published dental researcher whose work examined how denture materials interact with Candida, the yeast associated with denture stomatitis. Her research explored whether changing the denture surface could reduce Candida adhesion while preserving the properties a denture needs for everyday use. This article explains Dr. Gunjan Dhir’s research, what the studies found, what they do not prove, and what the findings mean for denture patients in Dallas.
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Denture Stomatitis and Dr. Gunjan Dhir: Quick Answers
- Denture stomatitis is a red, often painless inflammation under a denture, usually caused by Candida yeast.
- It keeps returning because the yeast forms a biofilm on the denture itself, not only in your mouth.
- Dr. Gunjan Dhir, lead author of a 2007 Journal of Prosthodontics study, investigated denture materials designed to resist Candida adhesion.
- A proper fit matters; a denture reline or soft liner removes a common trigger.
- Lancaster Family Dentistry is a 4.8 star denture care office in Dallas, TX, with Dr. Niyati Singh.
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Who Is Dr. Gunjan Dhir?
Dr. Gunjan Dhir, BDS, MS, is a prosthodontist, co-founder and Chief Dental Officer of Altius Dental. Her prosthodontic training focuses on restoring and replacing missing teeth with treatments including dentures, bridges and dental implants.
Dr. Gunjan Dhir is also a published dental researcher. Her research has examined denture base materials and whether their surfaces can be modified to discourage adhesion by Candida, the yeast associated with denture stomatitis. Her work includes a 2007 study in the Journal of Prosthodontics and related research published in 2008 in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
Outside her research, Dr. Gunjan Dhir co-founded Smile Savers Dental Solutions with fellow prosthodontist Dr. Gaurav Puri. The program was developed to expand access to specialist-planned implant and full-mouth dental care across rural and underserved Texas communities.
Learn more about Dr. Gunjan Dhir
What Denture Stomatitis Is
Denture stomatitis is inflammation of the tissue under a denture, usually on the roof of the mouth, caused by an overgrowth of a yeast called Candida albicans. It often looks red or slightly shiny, and it is frequently painless, so many people in Dallas live with it for a while before they notice anything is wrong.
The yeast itself is normal and lives in almost every mouth. The trouble starts when the warm, closed, moist space under a denture gives it a place to multiply and build a sticky film on the fitting surface, the side that rests against your gums.
Why the Infection Keeps Coming Back
It keeps coming back because Candida forms a biofilm, a dense and protected layer glued to the denture, and yeast inside a biofilm is far harder to remove than loose yeast floating in the mouth.
That is why antifungal drops or rinses alone often fail. They treat the yeast in your mouth, but the denture keeps carrying a hidden reservoir, so the infection returns once the medicine stops. Cleaning the appliance thoroughly matters as much as treating the tissue. Our denture care guidance covers the daily routine that helps.
Dealing with a denture that keeps getting sore? Book online or call (469) 813-8149.
Dr. Gunjan Dhir’s Research on Candida-Resistant Denture Materials
Dr. Gunjan Dhir studied whether the denture surface itself could be changed to discourage yeast. Natural teeth carry a slight surface charge that attracts protective, antifungal proteins from your saliva, and ordinary denture acrylic does not, which leaves the surface without one of the body’s built in defenses.
As lead author of a 2007 study in the Journal of Prosthodontics, she investigated adding a charged component to denture acrylic so the surface behaves more like a real tooth. A related 2008 study she co-authored in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry then tested whether that change kept the denture strong. You can read the original study on PubMed.
About Dr. Gunjan Dhir: Dr. Gunjan Dhir, BDS, MS, is a prosthodontist and the co-founder and Chief Dental Officer of Altius Dental. She co-founded Smile Savers Dental Solutions with fellow prosthodontist Dr. Gaurav Puri to expand access to implant and full mouth dental care across rural Texas. Learn more on her Altius Dental profile.
What the research does not prove: this is laboratory research. It does not mean that yeast resistant dentures are available today, or that any material eliminates denture stomatitis. Larger clinical studies are still needed. For patients right now, good hygiene, an accurate fit, and regular dental visits remain the proven tools.
How to Break the Cycle
To break the cycle, treat the mouth and the denture at the same time. A few habits do most of the work:
- Take the denture out overnight when your dentist agrees, so the surface can dry.
- Clean it every day with a denture brush and cleaner, focusing on the fitting surface where the film collects.
- Clean your gums, tongue, and palate too, even with no natural teeth remaining.
- Restore a loose fit with a denture reline or soft liner, because rubbing irritates tissue that yeast then exploits.
- Have red or sore areas looked at early, even without pain, so they clear faster.
Denture Care in Dallas with Dr. Niyati Singh
At Lancaster Family Dentistry, Dr. Niyati Singh and our team care for denture patients across Dallas and southern Dallas County. Dr. Singh completed a graduate dental program in India and the Advanced Standing Program in Dentistry at the University of Washington in Seattle. She is certified in implants, Invisalign, and nitrous oxide sedation, and she is fluent in English and Hindi. Patients describe her as gentle, patient centered, and easy to talk to.
Your visit is simple: an exam, a close look at the fit of your current denture, and a clear plan to keep the infection down. See more about our denture services, or read our Google reviews. You can also explore related research by Dr. Gunjan Dhir on how denture surfaces resist yeast and on whether a modified denture stays strong.
“Very friendly, professional and painless.” Rita W., Google review
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is denture stomatitis?
Denture stomatitis is a red, sometimes swollen inflammation of the tissue under a denture, usually caused by an overgrowth of Candida yeast on the fitting surface. It is common and often painless, so it can go unnoticed for a while.
Why does my denture infection keep coming back?
Because the yeast forms a protective biofilm on the denture itself, not only in your mouth. Antifungal medicine may clear the mouth while the denture keeps holding a reservoir of yeast, so the infection returns unless the denture is cleaned thoroughly and fits well.
Why doesn't antifungal medicine fix it on its own?
Antifungal drops and rinses act mainly on the yeast in your mouth, not on the biofilm anchored to the denture. If the appliance keeps carrying yeast, the infection has a place to return from once the medicine stops.
How should I clean my denture to prevent stomatitis?
Brush it every day with a denture cleaner, paying special attention to the fitting surface, take it out overnight when your dentist advises so it can dry, and keep your gums, tongue, and palate clean too. Have the fit checked if the denture feels loose.
What research did Dr. Gunjan Dhir publish?
Dr. Gunjan Dhir was lead author of a 2007 study in the Journal of Prosthodontics titled Physical Properties of Denture Base Resins Potentially Resistant to Candida Adhesion, and she co-authored a related 2008 study on strength and durability in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
Does Dr. Gunjan Dhir treat patients at Lancaster Family Dentistry?
Her role is as a co-founder of Altius Dental rather than the treating dentist on site. Your care in Dallas comes from Dr. Niyati Singh and the Lancaster Family Dentistry team.
Do you take my insurance?
We accept all PPO plans, along with Texas Medicaid and CHIP, and offer options for patients without traditional coverage. Call (469) 813-8149 with your plan details.
Where are you located and what are your hours?
If a denture infection keeps coming back and you want a trusted dentist in Dallas, contact us or book your visit now