Desenvolvimento de gel de quitosana e óleo essencial de melaleuca alternifolia para associação com alinhadores ortodônticos

Abstract

Clear aligners (CA) have been widely used and offer advantages over fixed braces, such as less discomfort and greater aesthetics. However, CA hinder the action of saliva on the teeth involved, leading to the formation of biofilm, and the consequent risk of developing caries and periodontal diseases. Chitosan (Ch) is a natural biomaterial used in healthcare due to its various properties, such as biocompatibility and antimicrobial action. It can combine with other compounds, such as tea tree oil (TTO), and its action can be enhanced. There are studies that evaluated Ch and TTO being used in gel form for the prevention of dental demineralization and for local therapy of periodontal disease. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a Ch and TTO gel for associated with CA. Three gels were developed: hydroxyethylcellulose control gel containing sunflower-seed oil (CG), chitosan gel containing sunflower-seed oil (ChG), and chitosan gel containing tea tree oil (Ch+TTOG). Organoleptic and physicochemical characterization, determination of antimicrobial activity, and evaluation of the cytotoxicity of the three gels. The gels remained stable in appearance, color, odor, and taste under all storage conditions evaluated. The pH of the gels (ChG and Ch+TTOG) ranged from 5.54 to 6.11 over time. The viscosity of the three gels showed pseudoplastic and thixotropic behavior. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the molecular stability of the gels. The ChG and Ch+TTOG gels showed inhibitory activity against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Candida albicans. The Ch+TTOG gel stood out for maintaining inhibitory action at lower concentrations for up to three months, especially when stored at 4°C. The gels did not show cytotoxicity for the tested strain, with viability greater than 70%. It was concluded that the Ch+TTOG gel demonstrated organoleptic and physicochemical stability under different storage conditions, antimicrobial activity, and absence of cytotoxicity, suggesting its potential for preventing dental biofilm formation, and the development of caries and periodontal diseases when associated with CA.