Original Research
Keywords: Contamination, Disinfection, Microbiology, Chlorhexidine, Product packaging.
Year : 2026 | Volume : 17 | Issue : 2 | Page : 17-28
Microbial Contamination Of New Orthodontic Clear Aligners: Comparing Disinfection With Chlorhexidine Solution Versus No Treatment
Chintan S Shetty-1, Amarnath B C-2, Akshai Shetty K R-2, Dharma R M-2, Prashanth C S-2, Navya Siddalingaiah-3
1-Postgraduate Resident, 2-Professor, 3-Senior Lecturer, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, DAPM RV Dental College, Affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Applied Sciences, 24th Main Road, JP Nagar 1st phase, Bangalore-560078
Address for Correspondence:
Dr. Chintan S Shetty
Post Graduate Student,
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
DAPM RV Dental College, Affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Applied Sciences,
24th Main Road, JP Nagar 1st phase, Bangalore-560078
Email id: chintanshetty98@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The growing demand of invisible orthodontics in all the age groups has increased the treatment of malocclusion with clear aligners. While the aligners are in direct contact with the oral tissues for 22/24 hrs, any lack of complete sterilization could result in causing harm to the patient during this timeframe.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the microbial presence on aligners as received from manufacturers and to evaluate efficacy of chlorhexidine decontamination in 2 different concentrations (0.01% and 2%).
METHODS: A total of 20 aligner samples were collected from four different companies (80 samples in total) as received from the manufacturers. The samples were divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D). They were incubated in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth to assess bacterial growth. The streak plate technique on blood agar, along with biochemical tests, was performed to identify microbial contaminants (catalase, coagulase, oxidase, and sugar fermentation assays). Contaminated aligners underwent disinfection with 0.01% chlorhexidine for 5 minutes and were then tested for sterility. Those that remained contaminated were re-treated with 2% chlorhexidine, and the effectiveness of the higher concentration was subsequently evaluated for complete microbial decontamination.
RESULTS: Microbial contamination was detected on aligners of all the four groups.80% of aligners samples in Group C showed microbial contamination , followed by Group D (65%), and followed by Group B (55%) whereas Group A had the least percentage of microbial contamination (30%)] Upon disinfection with 0.01% chlorhexidine solution, Group A displayed complete decontamination, while all aligners in the other groups exhibited complete decontamination with 2% chlorhexidine.
CONCLUSION: Orthodontic aligners received from four manufacturers showed high bacterial contamination after going through biochemical test. Disinfecting ability of 2% chlorhexidine proved highly effective in destroying both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
KEYWORDS: Contamination, Disinfection, Microbiology,Chlorhexidine, Product packaging.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND FUNDING
Nil
How to cite this article: Chintan S Shetty, Amarnath B C, Akshai Shetty K R, Dharma R M, Prashanth C S, Navya Siddalingaiah. Microbial Contamination Of New Orthodontic Clear Aligners: Comparing Disinfection With Chlorhexidine Solution Versus No Treatment.Int J Orthod Rehabil 2026; 17 (2): 17-28.
Doi: 10.56501/Intjorthodrehabil.172.ijor0004