Oral malodor still constitutes a major challenge worldwide. A strong effort is invested in eliminating volatile sulfur compound-producing oral bacteria through organic natural products such as essential oils. Fusobacterium nucleatum is a known volatile sulfur compound-producing bacteria that inspires oral malodor. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of lavender essential oil on the bacterium’s ability to produce volatile sulfide compounds, the principal components of oral malodor. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC-MS. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of lavender essential oil on Fusobacterium nucleatum was determined in a previous trial. Fusobacterium nucleatum was incubated anaerobically in the presence of sub-MIC, MIC, and above MIC concentrations of lavender essential oil, as well as saline and chlorhexidine as negative and positive controls, respectively. Following incubation, volatile sulfur compound levels were measured using GC (Oralchroma), and bacterial cell membrane damage was studied using fluorescence microscopy. Chemical analysis of lavender essential oil yielded five main components, with camphor being the most abundant, accounting for nearly one-third of the total lavender essential oil volume. The MIC (4 µL/mL) of lavender essential oil reduced volatile sulfur compound secretion at a statistically significant level compared to the control (saline). Furthermore, the level of volatile sulfur compound production attributed to 1 MIC of lavender essential oil was in the range of the positive control chlorhexidine with no significant difference. When examining bacterial membrane damage, 2 MIC of lavender essential oil (i.e., 8 µL/mL) demonstrated the same, showing antibacterial membrane damage values comparative to chlorhexidine. Since lavender essential oil was found to be highly effective in hindering volatile sulfur compound production by Fusobacterium nucleatum through the induction of bacterial cell membrane damage, the results suggest that lavender essential oil may be a suitable alternative to conventional chemical-based anti-malodor agents.

Streptococcus mutans is considered a major cariogenic bacterium. Most anti-cariogenic dentifrices are limited by a short exposure time. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that adding a mucoadhesive agent to the formulation may increase its bioavailability and efficacy. We tested the effect of adding hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) to an herbal extract solution containing lavender, echinacea, sage, and mastic gum, which have been previously shown to be effective against Streptococcus mutans. Mucin-coated wells were treated with four test solutions: saline, herbal extracts, herbal extracts with HEC, and chlorhexidine. The wells were incubated with Streptococcus mutans and studied for biofilm formation (Crystal violet assay), acid production (lactate assay), acid tolerance (ATPase assay), and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production using fluorescent microscopy. The results showed that the addition of HEC to the herbal extract solution caused a significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation, lactic acid production, and EPS quantity (p < 0.001). These results suggest that HEC may be a beneficial added excipient to herbal extracts in an anti-cariogenic formulation.

Background: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the implant axis’ spatial position and orientation by using laboratory scanner versus intra-oral scanner with three different scan abutments. Methods: A 3D model was printed with an internal hex implant analog in the place of teeth 35#. Three standard scan abutments were used: MIS (two-piece titanium), AB (two-piece PEEK and titanium base) and ZZ (one-piece PEEK). Each scan abutment was scanned 30 times by TRIOS E3 (laboratory scanner) and 30 times by Omnicam (intra-oral scanner). For each scan, an STL (stereolithography) file was created, and the spatial characterization of each scan abutment was measured in the X, Y, Z coordinates, and rotational and longitudinal angles. The comparison between all the scans was conducted by superimposition of the STL files, using a 3D software. A t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used. (p < 0.05) Results: Only the MIS scan abutment showed no statistical difference in the X and Z axes. (p < 0.05). All other scan abutments showed a statistical difference in all axes. The rotational angle of the AB scan abutment was twice the angle of the MIS and ZZ scan abutments. Conclusions: All three scan abutments showed a rotational deviation of the implant axis between the laboratory scanner and the intra-oral scanner. The AB scan abutment showed the greatest deviation (1.04 degrees) while the other two abutments showed deviations of about half a degree in relation to the laboratory scan abutment. There is a need for further studies which will examine the influence of geometry, material, and scan abutment parts on the accuracy of the scan obtained.

A previous study showed that sub-lethal exposure of blue light caused cell membrane damage in Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn). The aim of the present study was to test the combined effect of blue light and silver nanoparticles against Fn. Bacterial suspensions were exposed to blue light (400–500 nm) with or without silver nanoparticles (10 nm). Exposed and non-exposed samples were studied for malodor production (Odor judge scores), VSC levels (Halimeter), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (fluorimeter), and bacterial cell membrane damage (fluorescence microscopy). The results showed that combining blue light exposure and silver nanoparticles significantly reduced malodor and VSC production by Fn concomitant with increased ROS levels and bacterial cell membrane damage. These results suggest that silver nanoparticles may increase blue light phototoxicity against Fn.

Temporary dental crowns and bridges are commonly made of poly-methylmethacrylate (PMMA), a porous material attracting the microbial biofilm associated with malodor production. The purpose of the present study was to test pre-disinfection of PMMA on malodor-related parameters in an experimental oral biofilm. PMMA discs were pre-soaked in anti-malodor disinfecting solutions and controls: (i) Saline, (ii) essential oils (EO), (iii) herbal extracts (HE), and (iv) chlorhexidine (CHX). Following, discs were subjected to a salivary incubation assay and monitored for malodor-producing bacteria within the biofilm using confocal microscopy (CLSM), malodor production (organoleptic scale 0–5), volatile sulfide levels (Halimeter), and salivary protein degradation (SDS-PAGE). Results showed that disinfection solutions were significantly effective in reducing malodor-related parameters (CHX > HE > EO > Saline). Taken together, these results suggest that pre-disinfection may help to reduce malodor production in PMMA temporary dental restorations.