Scientific Dental Journal (Jan 2020)
The effect of tea tree oil in inhibiting the adhesion of pathogenic periodontal biofilms in vitro
Abstract
Background: Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil (TTO) is known to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of TTO on the ability of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans biofilms to adhere to enamel surfaces in vitro. Methods: P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans were cultured in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth at 37°C for 24 h in anaerobic conditions. Eighteen premolar teeth were inoculated and incubated for 48 h to form biofilms on enamel surfaces. Subsequently, TTO in 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, and 50% concentrations was added and incubated for 1 and 3 h. Chlorhexidine (0.2%) and BHI broth were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The remaining biofilm colonies were counted using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reader (490 nm). The teeth were placed in microtubes containing phosphate-buffered saline and vortexed for 20 s. Subsequently, biofilms were cultured in BHI agar for 24 h. The colonies in each concentration were estimated as colony-forming units per milliliter. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance. The level of statistical significance was set to P < 0.05. Results: Treatment with all concentrations of TTO significantly reduces biofilm adhesion compared to the negative control after both incubation periods (P < 0.05). The concentration that most effectively inhibited the adhesion of P. gingivalis was 12.5% after 1 h incubation. The concentration that most effectively inhibited the adhesion of A. actinomycetemcomitans was 25% after 1 h incubation. Conclusion: TTO inhibits the adhesion of P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilms to enamel surfaces and may be useful as a treatment for oral diseases. Further studies should examine its efficacy in vivo.
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