Investigating Antibacterial Property of the ZatariaMultilflora Essence and Chlorhexidine on Orthodontic Elastic Rings Contaminated with Streptococcus Mutant In Vitro

Introduction: With increasing usage of orthodontic treatments, disinfection of orthodontic appliances and rings is critical for maintaining dental and oral health. Using chemical disinfectants may cause allergic and mucosal disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate Zatariamultiflora essence and to compare it withChlorhexidine (0.2%) mouth wash in controlling experimental plaque from Streptococcus mutant. Methods: In the current experimental study, 48 Iranian orthodontic rings were immersed in 1×108 CFU/ml Streptococcus mutant suspension. Firstly, Bacterial load on 12 rings was evaluated and then remained rings were randomly divided into 3 groups. They weredecontaminated respectivelyin 0.5mg/100cc Zataria essence, 0.02% Chlorhexidine and sterile distilled water (negative control). Finally the stability rate of Streptococcus mutantviable cells remained on rings was enumerated using culture. Moreover, they were analyzed via SPSS software. Results: Mann-Whitney test showed a statistically significant differences between mean streptococcus viable cells isolated from the contaminated rings before and after decontamination with Zataria essence and Chlorhexidine (P=0.0001), whereas this reduction wasn’t significant in negative control group (P=0.089). In addition, any statistically significant differences were not observed between zataria essence and Chlorhexidinemouth washes in controlling bacterial plaque (p=0.058). Conclusion: Since Zatariamultiflora essence solution was proved to be effectivein controlling microbial biofilm on orthodontic rings compared toChlorhexidine,it can be used in further in vivo studies. If the same useful results would be given, it can be regarded fruitful for decontamination of orthodontic appliances