Title
Assessment of microbial growth in various aligner materials
Authors
T. G. R. Nitharshini*, R. Saravanan, M. K. Karthikeyan, N. Raj Vikram, P. Raja Kumar & Jeevana Poovalingam
Affiliation
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Thai Moogambigai Dental College and Hospital, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; *Corresponding author
T. G. R. Nitharshini - E-mail:
nithureddy97@gmail.com; Phone: +91 8754475459
R. Saravanan - E-mail: dentalsaravanan@yahoo.co.in
M. K. Karthikeyan - E-mail: mkdental98@gmail.com
N. Raj Vikram - E-mail: n_rajvikram@yahoo.com
P. Raja Kumar - E-mail: rajscare@hotmail.com
Jeevana Poovalingam - E-mail: je6ortho@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received March 1, 2026; Revised March 31, 2026; Accepted March 31, 2026, Published March 31, 2026
Abstract
Microbial accumulation on clear aligners poses a risk for dental and periodontal health, particularly when proper hygiene practices are not maintained. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate and compare microbial growth on three different aligner materials: Invisalign, Straumann Clear Correct and Novoalign. An in vivo observational study was conducted on 30 subjects, divided into three groups based on the type of aligner used. Microbial samples were collected at baseline (unused aligners, T0) and after 14 days of intraoral use (T1). Samples were cultured using Soybean Casein Digest Agar and Mannitol Salt Agar to quantify Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus and Lactobacillus spp. All tested aligner materials exhibited microbial colonisation, with differences based on material composition and surface characteristics. Emphasis on hygiene practices is essential during aligner therapy.
Keywords
Orthodontic appliances, removable; biofilms; microbiota; bacterial adhesion
Citation
Nitharshini et al. Bioinformation 22(3): 1574-1581 (2026)
Edited by
P Kangueane
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
