Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of a tea tree oil formulation on four periodontopathogenic bacteria. In vitro study

Natural products have been resurgent in recent years, intending to palliate oral ailments. For this reason, Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is proposed as the active ingredient of a gel for dental use, which can be used for periodontal disease. In this research, we compared TTO’s efficacy in contrast with chlorhexidine, against Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), Prevotella intermedia (P. intermedia), Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) and Parviromonas micra (P. micra). Dental plaque biofilm samples were collected from 30 subjects diagnosed with periodontal disease. Samples were subsequently cultivated, isolated, and verified. Then, the Kirby-Bauer method was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity (n=360). The statistical test results indicated no statistically significant differences from chlorhexidine (CHX) for three bacteria: P. intermedia, F. nucleatum, and P. micra. In contrast, for P. gingivalis, there is a significant difference (p<0.001). However, this difference could be reduced if the concentration of the TTO used in this formulation is increased so that both treatments could have similar antibacterial action. Based on the results obtained in this research, TTO could be considered a therapeutic alternative in treating periodontal disease because it presents antimicrobial activity against periodontopathogenic bacteria and could be used for long periods. Nevertheless, it is necessary to complete clinical studies to evaluate its efficacy and possible adverse events.