title: The role and efficacy of herbal antimicrobial agents in orthodontic treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of herbal antimicrobial agents on Streptococcus mutans count in biofilm formations during orthodontic treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We calculated the growth inhibition of oral bacteria in the orthodontic appliances after herbal antibacterial agents were placed in culture media. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of these agents on Streptococcus mutans growth were determined. After cultivating colonies of Streptococci in biofilm medium with these herbal antimicrobial agents and orthodontic attachments, viable cell counting was performed from the bacteria which were attached on them. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of morphology was observed on bacterial cells which were attached to orthodontic attachments. The effects of these agents were then evaluated and recommendations were forwarded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an increase in count of Streptococcus mutans with respect to the herbal antibacterial agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the antibacterial functions of these herbal agents, there was increase in the biofilm formation caused by Streptococcus mutans to orthodontic bands, which had occurred most likely through upregulation of glucosyl transferase expression. These extracts may thus play an important role in increased bacterial attachment to orthodontic wires. Thus, this study was corroborative of an amalgamation of Ayurvedic therapy and Orthodontic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences , SOA University,Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India .
authors.forename: Sumita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Institute of Dental Sciences , SOA University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India .
authors.forename: Samapika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Routray
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences , SOA University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India .
authors.forename: Sanjeeb
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar Sahu
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences , SOA University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India .
authors.forename: Smruti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhusan Nanda
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences , SOA University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India .
authors.forename: Kanhu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Charan Sahu
keywords: Aswagandha; Brahmi; Herbal agents, Minimum inhibitory concentration; SEM; Triphala