the antifungal effect of thymus vulgaris on isolated candida albicans from the surface of removable orthodontic appliances

Background and aim: orthodontic appliances can impair the balance of oral microflora and increase the load of certain microorganisms in the oral cavity. chlorhexidine (chx) is the goldstandard antimicrobial agent for plaque control. however, its longterm use induces adverse effects. the present study seeks to assess the effect of the essential oil of thymus vulgaris on isolated candida albicans (c. albicans) from removable orthodontic appliances.materials and methods: in this study, thirtytwo dental students were requested to use removable orthodontic appliances for 7 days. subsequently, the acrylic base of the appliance was checked for the isolation of c. albicans. furthermore, the effect of thymus vulgaris essential oil on isolated c. albicans were evaluated using the disc diffusion method, and then its minimum inhibitory concentration (mic) was determined.results: the results of this study indicated that the essential oil of thymus vulgaris was significantly more effective than chx in the elimination of isolated c. albicans from the surface of orthodontic appliances (p<0.05). moreover, its mic was calculated to be 15.6 µl/ml.conclusion: the essential oil of thymus vulgaris has favorable antimicrobial activity against c. albicans greater than that of chx.